Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 180J, N333DW, accident occurred October 12, 2019 at Majors Airport (KGVT), Greenville, Hunt County, Texas

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Dallas,  Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N333DW

Location: Greenville, TX
Accident Number: GAA20CA024
Date & Time: 10/12/2019, 1430 CDT
Registration: N333DW
Aircraft: Cessna 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered right, exited the runway, and ground looped, and the left wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loop.

Findings

Aircraft

Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll

Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Runway excursion

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 65, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider; Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/10/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/01/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1107.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 28.5 hours (Total, this make and model), 9641.7 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 105.15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N333DW
Model/Series: 180 J
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1974
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18052491
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/07/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 9122 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470-R
Registered Owner: John Brent Rowland
Rated Power: 230 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGVT, 535 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1935 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 46°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.17 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Rockwall, TX (F46)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Greenville, TX (GVT)
Type of Clearance:None 
Departure Time: 1350 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Majors (GVT)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 534 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8030 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Stop and Go; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.067778, -96.065278 (est)