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WPR21LA327

2021-05-06 · Buffalo, Wyoming, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport BYG

Current FAA registration · N7770K

Make / Model
CESSNA 180J
Year of manufacture
1976 · 45 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES (230 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19760614
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AA856A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with terrain.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, about 300 ft into the takeoff roll, the tail wheel came off the ground and the airplane immediately veer left towards a deep ravine. The pilot reduced power to idle and applied full right rudder and right aileron control, which returned the airplane to a runway heading, but the airplane was now on the left side of the runway. About 900 ft into the takeoff roll the airplane then rapidly turned right and crossed the runway at a 30° angle. The pilot applied full left rudder and left aileron control to counteract the turn, but the airplane departed the runway edge and ground looped to the right substantially damaging the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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.

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

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_WPR21LA327.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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