Cessna 180 N4722B accident near Chamberlain Guard Station, Idaho

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in a collision with a rodent hole and subsequent nose over.

NTSB analysis

During the takeoff roll from a grass airstrip, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a wind gust, which weathervaned the airplane to the left and off runway centerline. The left main landing gear wheel impacted a rodent hole, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and vertical stabilizer.

The Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory for the airport indicated the runway was 200 ft wide and in fair condition. However, postaccident examination of the runway surface revealed that though the center 20 to 25 ft of the runway was in good repair, however, outside of the center of the runway had “abundant grass growth” with some larger rodent holes.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR24LA209 for the full record.