N9659B

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 180AS/N: 32956

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, March 26, 2016
NTSB Number
CEN16LA131
Location
Del Rio, TX
Event ID
20160328X03156
Coordinates
29.372777, -100.927223
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s loss of directional control while departing with a gusting tailwind.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N9659B
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
32956
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1957
Model / ICAO
180AC180
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BONDS TED P
Address
PO BOX 421265
Status
Deregistered
City
DEL RIO
State / Zip Code
TX 78842-1265
Country
United States

Analysis

On March 26, 2016, about 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna 180A airplane, N9659B, impacted terrain during an attempted departure from the Del Rio International Airport (KDRT), Del Rio, Texas. The private rated pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he started the takeoff roll on runway 31; the airplane's tail came up. The airplane then veered right and he was unable to correct the turn. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, and the airplane came to rest on its left side.

An inspection by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. In addition, the inspector did not find any evidence of a brake/wheel problem with the airplane.

At 0903, the automated weather observation facility located at KDRT recorded; wind from 130 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots, 10 miles visibility, an overcast sky at 900 ft, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 55 F, and a barometric pressure of 29.88 inches of mercury.

Previously, the KDRT weather facility recorded at 0853, wind from 120 degrees at 9 knots, 10 miles visibility and overcast sky at 1000 ft. At 0823, the wind was from 110 at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility and a broken sky at 1,200 ft.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN16LA131