# NTSB BFO92LA040: Cessna 180C, N7019, Clarence, NY, March 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Clarence, NY
- Coordinates: 42.980289, -78.599861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9803&lon=-78.5999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION TO LAND WITH A DEFECTIVE SKI LANDING GEAR ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - landing gear,ski assembly - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE PUMPED THE SKIS DOWN.  HE NOTICED THE SKI TIPS WERE LOW.  HE STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO DO A TOUCH AND GO LANDING.  DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT SKI DUG INTO THE SNOW AND DIRT, CAUSING THE RIGHT GEAR TO COLLAPSE.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED ABOUT 200 FEET AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7019](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7019-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 50881 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180C
- Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50881
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L16 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maxwell Bennett Assoc.
- Registered owner: Maxwell Bennett Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1991, 54 hours before
- Departed: 0G0, LOCKPORT, NY
- Airport: D57, Potoczak, runway 27, 2,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,732 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,732 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Observed at: BUF, 999 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 19920314010509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920314010509A), Mar 14, 1992: Cessna 180C, Clarence Center, NY, Substantial damage. Pumped skis down after takeoff. Noted ski tips low. Right ski dug in compacted runway landing. Nosed over.

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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