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WPR15CA012

2014-10-02 · Marion, Montana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 97MT

Current FAA registration · N156JM

Make / Model
CESSNA 180
Year of manufacture
1956 · 58 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 during landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently applied left brake and the airplane veered abruptly to the left. Subsequently, the right wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the right wing, right horizontal, and right elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during landing in the tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently applied left brake and the airplane veered abruptly to the left. Subsequently, the right wing and horizontal stabilizer struck the ground and the airplane came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the right wing, right horizontal, and right elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident 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 Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Surface speed/braking-Incorrect use/operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_WPR15CA012.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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