CESSNA 180H near Helena, MT — 2011-01-26

Probable cause

The certified flight instructor's loss of airplane control during the landing roll in a gusting crosswind.

NTSB narrative

During the first part of the training flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot receiving instruction made four takeoffs and landings on a runway that was almost directly aligned with the oncoming wind. At that point the certified flight instructor (CFI) took over in order to demonstrate a landing on a different runway where there was a crosswind of about 10 to 12 knots at 90 degrees to the runway. The CFI made a successful touchdown on the main landing gear wheels, but as the airplane slowed and he began to lower the tail to the runway surface, the upwind wing was lifted by a gust of wind. When the CFI made control inputs to counter the lifting of the wing the opposite wing impacted the surface of the runway and the airplane veered toward the upwind runway edge. Before he could regain directional control, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, entered an area of soft terrain, and nosed over onto its back. According to the CFI, there was no evidence of a flight control malfunction prior to the accident.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control on ground · Landing-landing roll

Evidence available

• 1 docket document

Docket documents1

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form

Related mishaps

• CESSNA A185F

  2026-06-27 · Angel Fire, NM

• CESSNA 180H

  2026-06-21 · Port Angeles, WA

• CESSNA 140

  2026-06-01 · Pasco, WA

• EAA Acro Sport II

  2026-05-31 · Sheridan, AR

• PITTS SPECIAL S-1S

  2026-05-29 · Bartlesville, OK

• GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP GVII-G600

  2026-05-27 · Birmingham, AL