Casualties unknown

2001-07-19: Cessna 180K (N64426) — Quincy, WA

Quincy, WA, US

On July 19, 2001, a Cessna 180K (registration N64426) was involved in an aviation accident near Quincy, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include an encounter with a dust devil/whirlwind. 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 a short-field landing demonstration, an aircraft encountered a dust devil at touchdown, leading to loss of directional control and a nose-over after departing the runway into soft terrain.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor, seated in the right seat, was demonstrating a short-field landing technique to the aircraft owner. As the aircraft touched down, it encountered a dust devil, also referred to as a whirlwind. The rotational forces imparted by the whirlwind made the aircraft difficult to control at its low forward speed.

Pilot Actions

The instructor pilot elected not to execute a go-around. Despite applying both rudder input and differential braking, the pilot was unable to keep the aircraft from departing the side of the runway.

Post-Departure Events

After leaving the runway, the aircraft entered soft, sandy terrain, which caused it to nose over onto its back.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010724X01497. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.