# NTSB WPR26LA018: Cessna 180, N249MD, Imnaha, OR, October 9, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 9, 2025, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Imnaha, OR - Coordinates: 45.667924, -116.6188 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6679&lon=-116.6188&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 201848 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201848/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201848 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA018 ## Probable cause The pilot’s continued application of brakes during an aborted takeoff in a tailwind on down-sloping terrain, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was departing from a down-sloping runway surrounded by terrain that permitted departures only in one direction. He estimated there was a 12-knot tailwind. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane neared the end of the runway the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. The pilot applied and maintained braking input as the airplane briefly became airborne. The airplane touched back down, nosed over, and came to rest inverted on the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N249MD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N249MD), registered now, S/N 18051501, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051501 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 6907 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2024 - Airport: OR9, Lord Flat USFS Airport, runway 01, 1,728 × 15 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 760.3 total, 333 in this make and model, 669.9 as pilot in command, 27.8 in the last 90 days, 16.1 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20251009015589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251009015589A), Oct 9, 2025: Cessna 180H, Imnaha, OR, Substantial damage. The pilot elected to takeoff with a tailwind, on a rough one-way-out downsloping runway, and when it became apparent, he needed to abort, he applied brakes,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201848. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19462942&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_signed_ReportFORNTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 343 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19450321&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA018-Photos-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.