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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 4, 2003 · Cessna 180K · N77NP

Starkville, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Starkville, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 180K
Tail Number
N77NP
Operator
Nolan D Palmer
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA004

Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot established a visual approach to land on runway 18. The reported prevailing winds were 260 degrees at 4 knots. According to the pilot, while landing on runway 18, the right wing came up and the airplane ground looped. The pilot recalled that the left wing and stabilizer struck the ground as the airplane gyrated during the ground loop. A visual examination of the airplane revealed damage to both components. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the attempted landing. According to the pilot, he had accumulated about 250 flight hours in the Cessna 180K airplane. According to the Cessna 180K Pilot Operating Handbook, the demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind condition that resulted in the loss of directional control during a landing. A factor was the crosswind condition.

Full Narrative

On October 4, 2003, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 180K, N77NP, registered to and operated by the private pilot, ground looped during landing at the George M. Bryan Airport in Starkville, Mississippi. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and four passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Madison, Mississippi, on October 4, 2003 at 1015. Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot established a visual approach to land on runway 18. The reported prevailing winds were 260 degrees at 4 knots. According to the pilot, while landing on runway 18, the right wing came up and the airplane ground looped. The pilot recalled that the left wing and stabilizer struck the ground as the airplane gyrated during the ground loop. A visual examination of the airplane revealed damage to both components. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane during the attempted landing. According to the pilot, he had accumulated about 250 flight hours in the Cessna 180K airplane. According to the Cessna 180K Pilot Operating Handbook, the demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportGeorge M. Bryan Airport (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length5051 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180K
Tail NumberN77NP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNolan D Palmer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-U · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time16:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data