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NTSB Report

May 14, 2004 · Cessna 180 · N6430X

Kingman, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kingman, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N6430X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX04CA209

During a practice landing to a dry lakebed, the pilot under instruction overcompensated during a realignment maneuver, resulting in a loss of control of the tail wheel airplane and a ground loop. The pilot was receiving flight instruction for a tail wheel endorsement. According to the certified flight instructor's (CFI's) written statement, he and the pilot had practiced numerous takeoffs and landings at the departure airport before they headed to a dry lakebed for additional takeoff and landings. During the final landing, as the tail was lowering from the wheel landing position, the "student applied right rudder" to clear a stick that was on the ground. Though, according to the CFI, the aircraft's original rollout path would have cleared the stick, the CFI felt comfortable with the maneuver since it provided extra clearance. The pilot then corrected with the left rudder, but "overcompensated." The CFI announced that he had the controls, but the pilot did not remove his hands from the control yoke or his feet from the rudder pedals. As the airplane slowed, it underwent two left-to-right oscillations. On the second right oscillation, the right wing lifted and the airplane went up onto its left main tire. The CFI said that he applied left aileron and left rudder; however, the airplane continued to the right and he was unable to regain control of the airplane before it ground looped and nosed over. The CFI applied left brake, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over onto its back.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot under instruction's excessive and improper use of the rudder control during the landing roll and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and nose over.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 2004, at 1130 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180, N6430X, ground looped and nosed over during the landing roll on a dry lakebed near Kingman, Arizona. Sheble Aviation, Inc., the registered owner, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) sustained no injuries and the pilot under instruction (PUI) sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the instructional flight. The local flight departed the Kingman Airport at 0930. The PUI was receiving flight instruction for a tail wheel endorsement. According to the CFI's written statement, he and the PUI had practiced numerous takeoffs and landings at the departure airport before they headed to a dry lakebed for additional takeoff and landings. During the final landing, as the tail was lowering from the wheel landing position, the "student applied right rudder" to clear a stick that was on the ground. Though, according to the CFI, the aircraft's original rollout path would have cleared the stick, the CFI felt comfortable with the maneuver since it provided extra clearance. The PUI then corrected with the left rudder, but "overcompensated." The CFI announced that he had the controls, but the PUI did not remove his hands from the control yoke or his feet from the rudder pedals. As the airplane slowed, it underwent two left-to-right oscillations. On the second right oscillation, the right wing lifted and the airplane went up onto its left main tire. The CFI said that he applied left aileron and left rudder; however, the airplane continued to the right. The CFI applied left brake, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The CFI was not sure if the PUI had his feet on the brakes during the final portion of the landing roll. The pilots and operator reported no problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN6430X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 6 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data