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WPR23LA353

2023-09-21 · Monument Valley, Utah, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport UT25

Current FAA registration · N63130

Make / Model
CESSNA 180K
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19770328
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A8444D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after encountering a wind gust on the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he made an uneventful flight to the destination airport and configured the tailwheel-equipped airplane for landing. During the approach he noted that there was no unusual gust or crosswind, and he touched down on the main wheels just after the runway’s identification numbers. On the landing roll, the pilot reduced the power to idle, and the tailwheel settled on the runway. The airplane encountered a sudden wind gust, raising the right wing. Despite the pilot’s attempts to maintain directional control, the airplane ground-looped to the right and departed the runway surface. The airplane continued into a ditch and the left gear collapsed, resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Ability to respond/compensate
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA353.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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