No fatalities

27 Jan 2020: Cessna 180 A — Eloy, AZ

Eloy, AZ, United States

On 27 Jan 2020, a Cessna 180 A was involved in an aviation accident near Eloy, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground-loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that during a landing practice in a tail-wheel airplane, a left crosswind during the landing flare caused the airplane to ground loop and veer off the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. No mechanical anomalies were noted.

Accident Overview

A pilot was practicing landings in a tail-wheel equipped airplane. After completing one go-around and two landings without incident, the pilot attempted another landing. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a left crosswind. Despite the pilot's attempts to maintain directional control, the airplane ground looped and veered off the left side of the runway.

Damage

As a result of the ground loop and veer off the runway, the right wing sustained substantial damage.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The accident occurred during the landing attempt, with the crosswind affecting directional control in the flare.

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintainedEffect on operation