Searle Field Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Ogallala, Nebraska 69153
Monday, July 22, 2002 9:00 MDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The airplane was substantially damaged when it ground looped during takeoff. The pilot stated that his window popped open during takeoff causing him to become distracted. He stated that the airplane started to turn right, and he was unable to regain control.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The open window diverting the pilot's attention was a contributing factor.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 7/22/2002
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 900
Event Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Event City Ogallala
Event State NEBRASKA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 69153
Event Date Year 2002
Event Date Month 7
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude --
Event Location Longitude --
Event Location Airport SEARLE FIELD
Event Location Nearest Airport ID OGA
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport 0
Airport Elevation 3278
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 950 Mountain Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID OGA
Elevation of weather observation facility 3278
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation MDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 22
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 11
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 10
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 11
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.27
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 12398
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Jul 22 2002 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1532
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Nov 4 2002 9:07AM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\MONR
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Lincoln, Nebraska

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N5359D
NTSB Number CHI02LA207
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Cessna
Aircraft Model C180A
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 180-50257
Certified Max Gross Weight 2650
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Harris Aerial Survey
Aircraft Owner Street Address PO Box 246
Aircraft Owner City Midway
Aircraft Owner State AR
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 72651
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Business
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code OGA
Departure City Ogallala
Departure State NE
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 900
Departure Time Zone MDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code COE
Destination City Coeur D' Alene
Destination State ID
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Takeoff
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred No
Date of most recent change to record Sep 23 2002 9:29AM
User who most recently changed record SULP
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 13
Runway Length 3698
Runway Width 50
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --