No fatalities

26 Jan 2011: CESSNA 180H — STATE OF MONTANA — Helena, MT

Helena, MT, United States

On 26 Jan 2011, a CESSNA 180H operated by STATE OF MONTANA was involved in an aviation accident near Helena, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The certified flight instructor's loss of airplane control during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight in a tailwheel airplane, an instructor pilot lost directional control after a crosswind gust lifted the upwind wing, causing the opposite wing to strike the runway. The airplane departed the runway and nosed over.

Incident Overview

A training flight in a conventional wheel (tail wheel-equipped) airplane resulted in a loss of control during a crosswind landing demonstration. The instructor pilot had taken over the controls after the pilot receiving instruction completed four stop-and-go landings on a runway aligned nearly directly with the wind. The instructor aimed to demonstrate a landing on a different runway where a crosswind of approximately 10 to 12 knots existed at a 90-degree angle to the runway.

Landing and Loss of Control

The instructor pilot executed a successful touchdown on the main landing gear wheels. However, as the airplane slowed and the tail began to lower to the runway surface, a gust of wind lifted the upwind wing. Despite the instructor's control inputs to counter the lift, the opposite wing struck the runway surface. The airplane then veered toward the upwind edge of the runway.

Departure from Runway

Before the instructor pilot could regain directional control, the airplane departed the right side of the runway and entered an area of soft terrain. The aircraft subsequently nosed over onto its back. According to the instructor pilot, no evidence of a flight control or rudder control malfunction was observed.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome