# NTSB ATL89LA097: Cessna 180J, N601RF, W. Columbia, SC, March 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1989, 12:54 local (17:54 UTC)
- Place: W. Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.989292, -81.0802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9893&lon=-81.0802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA097

## Probable cause

IMPROPER TORQUING OF THE ATTACHMENT BOLT DURING INSTALLATION BY UNKNOWN PERSON(S), WHICH RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF THE BOLT AND NUT AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR FROM THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - undertorqued (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - stripped thread (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - separation (cause)

## Analysis

THE RT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE DURING LDG ROLLOUT. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE AN7-20A ATTACHMENT BOLT & MS20365-720C NUT HAD STRIPPED & SEPARATED. THE BOLT EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF HAVING BEEN LOOSE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE LOGS REVEALED NO ENTRIES PERTAINING TO RT MLG MAINTENANCE, OR ANY AIRFRAME REPAIRS, WHICH WOULD HAVE REQUIRED REMOVAL & REINSTALLATION OF THE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601RF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N601RF), registered now, S/N 18052560, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052560
- Airframe hours: 2175
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fox, Reese E.
- Registered owner: Fox, Reese
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: TSO, CARROLLTON, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CAE, Columbia Metropolitan

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,600 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 111 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAE

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890304003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890304003059A), Mar 4, 1989: Cessna 180J, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear collapsed on landing rollout. Landing gear attach bolt lost nut and support bracket broke.

## Other investigations on N601RF (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC94LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA138), Jul 24, 1994: Cessna 180 (N601RF), Waynesburg, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush. A factor was a tailwind.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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