Cessna 180G accident near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, June 8, 2023
On June 8, 2023 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 180G, registered N223WH, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Stevens Point, Wisconsin (Stevens Point Municipal Airpor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were 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 landing that resulted in a ground loop and impact with the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2023 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Stevens Point, Wisconsin · Stevens Point Municipal Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180G, built 1964 · all 180Gs on the register
- Registration
- N223WH · registry record · serial 18051355
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during the approach to the destination airport, the winds were reported as 040o and 340o at 8 kts. The pilot chose to land on runway 30 because the airport windsock was pointed almost straight down the runway. The airplane touched down smoothly during landing, and he had the control yoke back and the ailerons rotated slightly into the wind in anticipation of a crosswind. The pilot stated the crosswind came suddenly and lifted the right wing. He added left aileron and “strong” left rudder, but it was too late to regain control. The airplane ground looped and struck the runway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage that included left wing damage inboard of the left wing tip, left aileron, and left elevator. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by reducing flaps from 40o after landing and applying additional aileron control input.
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
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 484 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 82 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 447 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 18, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,012.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470R-35A (piston); 3,109 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HLD Hutchinson MN at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 3,535 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from STE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 5, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Log | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N223WH the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.