Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On March 27, 1997, approximately 0855 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180D, N6484X, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during an attempted takeoff at Erie, Colorado. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot indicated he planned to air file a VFR flight plan for the personal flight to be conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot said that the wind was "calm to light, favoring runway 33." As he began to taxi, the wind increased and was reported to be from 330 degrees at 15 knots. By the time he reached the parallel taxiway at midfield, the wind had increased to 20 knots. During the engine runup, the wind increased to 28 knots. As the pilot aligned the airplane for takeoff on runway 33, he checked the windsock to make sure the wind was down the runway, then began the takeoff roll. When he raised the tail, the airplane swerved to the left. He applied right rudder and brake and a slight amount of left aileron. As the airplane realigned with the runway heading, the left wing rose. The pilot applied additional left aileron until it was fully deflected. The wing continued to rise. Witnesses told the pilot the right wing tip was dragging on the runway. The airplane curved to the right, went off the east side of the runway, and nosed over. The pilot said when he exited the airplane, the windsock indicated the wind was varying between 300 to 330 degrees at 28 knots. The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control. A factor was the crosswind.