Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff roll the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left side. He said that he "dipped" the left wing in an attempt to counter the wind gust but lost control of the airplane, flipped over nose first and impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16CA128 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 13, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- South Burlington, Vermont
- Nearest airport
- Burllington (BTV)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 180
- N-number
- N9925N
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.