Summary
On August 11, 2020, a Cessna 180 (N9917N) was involved in an incident near Stanley, ID. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR20CA265. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9917N.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR20CA265