Cessna 180J N52175 accident near Kamiah, Idaho

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control following an encounter with a microburst during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that at the time of rotation, the airplane encountered a microburst or strong crosswind that rolled the airplane aggressively to the right, causing the wingtip to drag on the runway. The airplane exited the runway and struck a ditch, where it cartwheeled and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the tail section. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking off on runway 17. The pilot stated that at the time of takeoff, the wind was from 140° to 150° at 5 to 10 miles per hour, with a thunderstorm about 20 miles east. At the time the airplane encountered the crosswind from a microburst the pilot estimated the wind was from 090° at 40 to 45 miles per hour. The airport was not equipped with weather reporting facilities; however, a weather reporting station was located about 40 miles southeast reported about 5 minutes after the accident, wind from 210° at 14 knots, gusting to 29 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA235 for the full record.