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WPR14CA028

2013-10-21 · Butte, Montana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport BTM

Current FAA registration · N156JM

Make / Model
CESSNA 180
Year of manufacture
1956 · 57 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES (230 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560222
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0E14D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing with a crosswind.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the stabilized approach in the tailwheel equipped airplane he was inputting the appropriate crosswind control inputs for the left crosswind condition. Upon touchdown, a gust of wind caused the airplane to ground loop to the left. Subsequently, the right wing struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during the stabilized approach in the tailwheel equipped airplane he was inputting the appropriate crosswind control inputs for the left crosswind condition. Upon touchdown, a gust of wind caused the airplane to ground loop to the left. Subsequently, the right wing struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_WPR14CA028.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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