Cessna 180H accident near Chatsworth, New Jersey, June 20, 1995
On June 20, 1995 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Cessna 180H, registered N2728X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chatsworth, New Jersey (Coyle Field). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Related factors were the gusty crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 1995 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chatsworth, New Jersey · Coyle Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180H · all 180Hs on the register
- Registration
- N2728X · registry record · serial 180-51528
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP/SERVE AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL, HE PUSHED FORWARD ON THE CONTROL YOKE TO RAISE THE TAIL. HE STATED THAT THE CROSSWIND COMBINED WITH STRONG PROPELLER TORQUE CAUSED HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 248 hours in all; 102 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 143 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,766 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 14, 1995; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CYN Chatworth NJ at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 1,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.