NTSB Factual Report

On March 27, 2001, about 0830 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 180H, N2780X, was substantially damaged in a ground loop and subsequent nose over during an aborted takeoff attempt from runway 23 at Coeur d'Alene Air Terminal, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The private pilot, who owned the aircraft and was its sole occupant at the time, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 local personal flight.

The pilot reported that he performed the takeoff from intersection D. He indicated that the wind at the time was from 140 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 15 knots, and that he listened to the airport's Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) prior to takeoff. He stated that he "rolled with [aileron] & rudder correction to the left." He stated that he felt the tail raise, and aborted takeoff by "chopping power." The pilot reported that the aircraft's left wingtip then hit and the aircraft went up on its nose, striking its propeller. The pilot reported on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted takeoff. A factor was gusty crosswinds.