Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 180A, N9729B; accident occurred January 27, 2020 at Eloy Municipal Airport (E60), Pinal County, Arizona

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  Scottsdale, Arizona

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N9729B

Location: Eloy, AZ 
Accident Number: WPR20CA085
Date & Time: 01/27/2020, 1640 MST
Registration: N9729B
Aircraft: Cessna 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while practicing landings, he completed one go-around and two landings without incident. On his next landing attempt, the airplane encountered a left crosswind during the landing flare. Despite his attempts to maintain directional control, the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 while landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground-loop.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Environmental issues Crosswind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Landing-flare/touchdown Attempted remediation/recovery

Landing-flare/touchdown Runway excursion

The pilot reported that while practicing landings in the tail-wheel equipped airplane, he completed one go-around and two landings without incident. On his next landing attempt, the airplane encountered a left crosswind during the landing flare. Despite his attempts to maintain directional control, the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway.

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: 59, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/01/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  315 hours (Total, all aircraft), 127 hours (Total, this make and model), 183 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9729B
Model/Series: 180 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1957
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 50027
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/02/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 51 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2367 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-470-7-K
Registered Owner: Serenity Aero LLC
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: KP08, 1574 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1640 MST
Direction from Accident Site: 46°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 15 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Coolidge, AZ (P08)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Eloy, AZ (E60)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1540 MST
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Eloy Muni (E60)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1511 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 02
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3901 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.803889, -111.588889