Casualties unknown

1997-03-27: Cessna 180D (N6484X) — Erie, CO

Erie, CO, US

On March 27, 1997, a Cessna 180D (registration N6484X) was involved in an aviation accident near Erie, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control. A factor was the crosswind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff roll, a pilot experienced a wind shift to 330 degrees at 28 knots. The airplane swerved, exited the runway, and nosed over. After exiting, the windsock indicated variable wind between 300 and 330 degrees at 28 knots.

Accident Sequence

According to the pilot's account, the wind increased from calm to light, favoring runway 33, during the preflight inspection. As the takeoff roll began, the wind shifted to 330 degrees at 28 knots. When the pilot raised the tail, the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot was able to realign the airplane with the runway. Subsequently, the left wing rose. The pilot applied full left aileron, but this had no effect. The airplane then curved to the right, exited the runway, and nosed over.

After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the windsock indicated the wind was variable between 300 and 330 degrees at 28 knots.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that the wind during preflight was calm to light, favoring runway 33. At the start of the takeoff roll, the wind was 330 degrees at 28 knots. Following the accident, the windsock showed variability between 300 and 330 degrees at 28 knots.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X07548. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.