Cessna 180A accident near Del Rio, Texas, March 26, 2016
On March 26, 2016 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1957 Cessna 180A, registered N9659B, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Del Rio, Texas (Del Rio International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control while departing with a gusting tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 2016 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Del Rio, Texas · Del Rio International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180A, built 1957 · all 180As on the register
- Registration
- N9659B · no longer on the register · serial 32956
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot and passenger were departing runway 31 in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the takeoff, just as the tail became airborne, the airplane veered right. The pilot was unable to correct the turn, and the airplane departed the runway. An examination of the wheels and brakes did not reveal any abnormalities. About the time of departure, the reported winds were from 130 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. Based on the pilot's choice of runway direction and the wind conditions at the time of takeoff, it is likely that he lost control while departing with a gusting tailwind.
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
What happened, in order
- Runway excursion during takeoff defining event
- Other weather encounter during taxi (from runway)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › (general) › (general) › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,885 hours in all; 167 in this make and model; 10.5 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 2,885 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,810 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 20, 2015
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KDRT Del Rio TX
- Destination: Pvt Terlingua TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 6,300 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 2:03 pm from KDRT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.