Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 180J Skywagon, N9917N; accident occurred August 10, 2020 at Stanley Airport (2U7), Custer County, Idaho

 

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N9917N

Location: Stanley, ID
Accident Number: WPR20CA265
Date & Time: 08/10/2020, 1830 MDT
Registration: N9917N
Aircraft: Cessna 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll in the tailwheel equipped airplane, with a 10 knot direct crosswind, after the tail lifted and the airplane was tracking on the runway centerline, he initiated a cross control to compensate for the crosswind. The control pressure was excessive and the airplane banked into the wind and started to deviate to the left. The pilot attempted corrective action however the airplane rotated around and ground looped. The right side main landing gear collapsed and the right wing was substantially damaged.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age:67, Male 
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No 
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/23/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/31/2020
Flight Time: 3300 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9917N
Model/Series: 180 J
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18052572
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3825 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-470 SERIES
Registered Owner: Pessina Guy P
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: 2U7, 6403 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0700 MDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 30 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 15 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 280°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.24 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / -4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:Stanley, ID (2U7) 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:None 
Destination: Hailey, ID (SUN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0715 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Stanley (2U7)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Dirt
Airport Elevation: 6403 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4300 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

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: 44.212778, -114.933333 (est)