No fatalities

11 Aug 2020: Cessna 180 J — Stanley, ID

Stanley, ID, United States

On 11 Aug 2020, a Cessna 180 J was involved in an aviation accident near Stanley, ID. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff 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 tailwheel airplane experienced a ground loop during takeoff roll in a 10-knot direct crosswind after the pilot's excessive cross control input, leading to collapse of the right main landing gear and substantial damage to the right wing.

Accident Overview

A pilot reported an accident involving a tailwheel-equipped airplane during takeoff. The event occurred when the airplane was on its takeoff roll with a 10-knot direct crosswind.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, after the tail lifted and the airplane was tracking along the runway centerline, he initiated a cross control input to compensate for the crosswind. The control pressure applied was excessive, causing the airplane to bank into the wind and deviate to the left. The pilot attempted corrective action, but the airplane rotated and entered a ground loop. During the ground loop, the right side main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing sustained substantial damage.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation