Cessna 180H accident near Grand Junction, Colorado, May 28, 2007
On May 28, 2007 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Cessna 180H, registered N3408Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Junction, Colorado (Walker Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. 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 take-off roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2007 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Junction, Colorado · Walker Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180H · all 180Hs on the register
- Registration
- N3408Y · no longer on the register · serial 18051908
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was going to perform a crosswind takeoff on runway 22 (5,502 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) and then practice stop-and-go landings on runway 11. During the take-off roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reduced power and attempted to correct with right rudder. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot estimated the winds at the time of departure to be "a direct left crosswind of about 10 knots." An examination of the airplane showed that the left wing spar was broken, the vertical stabilizer was crushed downward, and the firewall wrinkled. No other annomalies with the airplane were reported. The recorded winds at the time of the accident were 140 degrees at 11 to 15 knots. The calculated crosswind components was between 11 and 15 knots. The Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook for a Cessna 180H does not list a maximum demonstrated crosswind component.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,087 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 982 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,319 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental O-470-R25B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GJT Grand Junction CO at 3:15 pm
- Destination: GJT Grand Junction CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,502 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 3:21 pm from GJT, 1 miles away
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.