# NTSB ATL92LA145: Cessna 180B, N9581B, Monroe, GA, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, GA
- Coordinates: 33.790157, -83.709053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7902&lon=-83.7091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA145

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT'S SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S) WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage,seat - failure,total (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

AS THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH, DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT'S SEAT ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED AND HE WAS DISPLACED AFT FROM THE PILOT'S STATION. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS OUT OF REACH OF THE FLIGHT AND THROTTLE CONTROLS, AND COULD NOT REDUCE THE THROTTLE. THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED. AFTER THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE, THE AIRPLANE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE ENTIRE AIRPLANE AND LEFT SEAT ASSEMBLY. THE FAILED SEAT COMPONENT WAS ALSO DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE 'SEAT FAILED TO STAY LOCKED.' HOWEVER, DURING A LATER TELEPHONE CONVERSATION, HE STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR PORTION OF THE SEAT APPEARED TO HAVE COLLAPSED. HE DID NOT RECALL THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY MOVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9581B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9581B-1993-09-20), registration cancelled 1993-09-20, S/N 32878 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180B
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32878
- Airframe hours: 4204
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K19 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sessions, Carl E.
- Registered owner: Sessions, Carl E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1991, 193 hours before
- Airport: A06, Monroe-Walton County, runway 21, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 30 nm away

## 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 19920726027439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726027439A), Jul 26, 1992: Cessna 180B, Monroe, GA, Substantial damage. Seat slid back on initial takeoff roll. Lost control. Aircraft ground looped. Unable verify seat condition. Burned.

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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