Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said, "Upon landing, the nose of the airplane pitched down, making the airplane uncontrollable and [it] tipped on its back." He also wrote that he didn't know why the airplane pitched down. He told an Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he just "lost it." A postaccident inspection revealed no preimpact anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA036 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 26, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Justin, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Clark Airport (3T6)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 180
- N-number
- N1846Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.