# NTSB CHI96LA009: Cessna 180R, N3698C, Seattle, WA, October 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1995, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC) - Place: Seattle, WA - Coordinates: 47.610572, -122.329757 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6106&lon=-122.3298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10132 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10132/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA009 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was the gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported the approach to landing was normal with correction inputs to maintain runway centerline due to the crosswind. ATIS was reporting the winds from 170 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot stated that approximately 100 feet AGL, the airplane's vertical speed indicator went full scale down. He immediately applied full power, but a high sink rate began. The pilot stated the airplane touched down on the runway with full aileron and full rudder correction to stop the drift. The left wing impacted the runway before the airplane came to rest. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1995, at 1540 pacific daylight time (pdt), a Cessna 180R, N3698C, was substantially damaged while landing at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington. The pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Camas, Washington, at 1440 pdt. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and a VFR flight plan was on file. In a detailed written statement, the pilot reported the approach to landing on runway 13R was normal with correction inputs to maintain runway centerline. The pilot stated that while the airplane was on final approach, ATIS was reporting the winds from 170 degrees at 8 knots. He had also heard a wind check transmission from the control tower reporting the winds from 170 variable to 270 degrees at 14 knots. The control tower also reported the winds as gusting, but the remainder of this transmission was cut off by another airplane transmitting on the same frequency. The pilot stated that approximately 100 feet AGL, the airplane's VSI went full scale down. He immediately applied full power but a high sink rate began. The pilot stated directional control was maintained, but touchdown was unavoidable. The airplane touched down with full aileron and full rudder correction to stop the drift. The pilot reported that he decided that a go around would not be possible without loosing directional control of the airplane because the rudder was at its limit. The pilot stated that as the airplane slowed during the landing roll, the horizontal stabilizer lost authority at full travel. The airplane's tail dropped and the left wing impacted the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3698C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3698C), registered now, S/N 31197, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180R - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31197 - Airframe hours: 5202 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 255 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas R. Herlihy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1995, 50 hours before - Departed: WA10, CAMAS, WA - Destination: BFI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BFI, King County Intnl Airport, runway 13R, 10,001 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,384 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 15,221 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BFI 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.