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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

December 28, 2003 · Cessna 182 · N5609B

Hudson, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 28, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hudson, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N5609B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN04LA034

The pilot said he was landing on runway 33 into a left 30-degree crosswind (later he said it was a 70-degree crosswind). "An apparent gust" of approximately 40 mph "caused the airplane to ground loop to the left side of the runway. The airplane departed the runway, "it appears the right wheel dug into the sandy ground," and the airplane nosed over. According to the Wind Component Chart, under the conditions described by the pilot, a 30-degree, 40 mph crosswind would produce a crosswind component of 20 mph. A 70-degree, 40 mph crosswind would produce a crosswind component of 38 mph. According to a spokesperson for the airplane manufacturer, the maximum crosswind component for the airplane is 15 mph.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to an excessive crosswind component, resulting in an uncontrolled groundloop/swerve. Contributing factors were the crosswind gust and the soft, sandy terrain.

Full Narrative

On December 28, 2003, approximately 1200 mountain standard time, N5609B, a Cessna 182 (tailwheel conversion), registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing roll at the Platte Valley Airpark, Hudson, Colorado. The private pilot and his student pilot certificated-passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Kelly Airpark, Elbert, Colorado, approximately 1125. In a telephone interview with the pilot, he said he was landing on runway 33 into a left 30-degree crosswind. In his accident report, however, he indicated it was a 70-degree crosswind. "An apparent gust" of approximately 40 mph "caused the airplane to ground loop to the left side of the runway. The airplane departed the runway, "it appears the right wheel dug into the sandy ground," and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed; the propeller, engine mounts, and both wings were bent, and the windshield was shattered. According to the Wind Component Chart, under the conditions described by the pilot, a 30-degree, 40 mph crosswind would produce a crosswind component of 20 mph. A 70-degree, 40 mph crosswind would produce a crosswind component of 38 mph. According to a Cessna Aircraft Company spokesperson, the maximum crosswind component for the airplane is 15 mph.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 MST
Nearest AirportPlatte Valley Airpark (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN5609B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 79 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 50 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / -4 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data