Cessna 180 accident near Abilene, Texas, May 15, 1998
On May 15, 1998 at about 8:54 pm local time, a Cessna 180, registered N4775B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Abilene, Texas (Abilene Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 15, 1998 · about 8:54 pm local time
- Place
- Abilene, Texas · Abilene Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N4775B · registry record · serial 31673
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the landing roll on runway 35L, the aircraft ground looped. The pilot reported that during the approach, at about 300 feet, he noticed 'left crosswind gusts.' After normal main wheel contact (wheel landing) the 'aircraft started scooting right while trying to weathervane to the left.' The reported wind condition at the time of the accident was from 290 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots.
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: 471 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,114 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 1997; 34 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F82 Lubbock TX at 7:45 pm
- Destination: ABI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 35L, 7,202 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from ABI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.