Summary
On May 28, 2007, a Cessna 180H (N3408Y) was involved in an accident near Grand Junction, CO. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
The pilot reported that he was going to perform a crosswind takeoff on runway 22 (5,502 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) and then practice stop-and-go landings on runway 11. During the take-off roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reduced power and attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds at the time of departure to be "a direct left crosswind of about 10 knots." An examination of the airplane showed that the left wing spar was broken, the vertical stabilizer was crushed downward, and the firewall wrinkled. No other annomalies with the airplane were reported. The recorded winds at the time of the accident were 140 degrees at 11 to 15 knots.
This accident is documented in NTSB report DEN07CA094. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3408Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was going to perform a crosswind takeoff on runway 22 (5,502 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) and then practice stop-and-go landings on runway 11. During the take-off roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reduced power and attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds at the time of departure to be "a direct left crosswind of about 10 knots." An examination of the airplane showed that the left wing spar was broken, the vertical stabilizer was crushed downward, and the firewall wrinkled. No other annomalies with the airplane were reported. The recorded winds at the time of the accident were 140 degrees at 11 to 15 knots. The calculated crosswind components was between 11 and 15 knots. The Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook for a Cessna 180H does not list a maximum demonstrated crosswind component.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN07CA094