Cessna 180J N7779K

Summary

On 10 April 2025 at about 21:43 local time, a Cessna 180J registered N7779K was involved in an accident near Oakland, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 April 2025 at 21:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Oakland, California, United States

Nearest airport

San Francisco Bay Oakland Intl (OAK)

Coordinates

37.7213, -122.2207

Aircraft

Cessna 180J

Registration

N7779K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Oakdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR25LA132

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll with a left crosswind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during a takeoff roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he observed a left crosswind. As the tail lifted off the runway, the airplane veered left, and he subsequently applied full right rudder pedal. As the airplane approached the left edge of the runway, he applied pressure to the right brake, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing runway 33 with wind from 260° at 13 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.