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CEN23LA236

2023-06-08 · Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport STE

Current FAA registration · N223WH

Make / Model
CESSNA 180G
Year of manufacture
1964 · 59 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES (230 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19960306
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A1EE22

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in a ground loop and impact with the runway.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that during the approach to the destination airport, the winds were reported as 040o and 340o at 8 kts. The pilot chose to land on runway 30 because the airport windsock was pointed almost straight down the runway. The airplane touched down smoothly during landing, and he had the control yoke back and the ailerons rotated slightly into the wind in anticipation of a crosswind. The pilot stated the crosswind came suddenly and lifted the right wing. He added left aileron and “strong” left rudder, but it was too late to regain control. The airplane ground looped and struck the runway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage that included left wing damage inboard of the left wing tip, left aileron, and left elevator. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by reducing flaps from 40o after landing and applying additional aileron control input. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_CEN23LA236.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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