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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 21, 2012 · Cessna 180H · N3SM

Conroe, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 21, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Conroe, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 180H
Tail Number
N3SM
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA168

During a personal flight, the flight instructor, who occupied the right seat, allowed the private pilot, who occupied the left seat, to practice landings in the tailwheel airplane. During the second landing, the airplane veered sharply off the runway centerline. The flight instructor took over the controls but was unable to regain directional control of the airplane. The left wingtip contacted the runway, and the airplane ground looped.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed intervention and the pilot’s lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes.

Full Narrative

On February 21, 2012, about 1715 central standard time, a Cessna 180H, N3SM, ground looped during landing on runway 14 at Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO), Conroe, Texas. The airline transport pilot (ATP) and a private pilot were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar, left elevator, and stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by the (ATP) pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that departed from CXO about 1630. The right seat pilot held an airline transport pilot and flight instructor certificates and was a friend of the left seat pilot who held a private pilot certificate. The right seat pilot had a tailwheel endorsement. The left seat pilot did not have a tailwheel endorsement. The right seat pilot said that they departed on a personal flight that remained in the local area. About 45 minutes after departure, they returned to CXO to practice landings. The left seat pilot performed the first landing and subsequent takeoff, which was "normal." During the second landing by the left seat pilot, the airplane veered "sharply" off the runway centerline. The right seat pilot took the controls from the left seat pilot and was unable to regain directional control of the airplane. The left wingtip contacted the runway, and the airplane ground looped.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 CST
Nearest AirportLone Star Executive Airport (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180H
Tail NumberN3SM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO550D278 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 56 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data