Cessna 180H N3SM

Summary

On 21 February 2012 at about 23:15 local time, a Cessna 180H registered N3SM was involved in an accident near Conroe, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 February 2012 at 23:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Conroe, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO)

Coordinates

30.3525, -95.4144

Aircraft

Cessna 180H

Registration

N3SM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Conroe → Conroe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA168

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.