# NTSB DEN86LA172: Cessna 180K, N61999, Ronan, MT, June 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1986, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Ronan, MT
- Coordinates: 47.530773, -114.130409 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5308&lon=-114.1304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage,seat - unlocked (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, HIS SEAT SLID TO THE FULL AFT POSITION. THE PLT STATED HE LOST CONTROL & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61999](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61999), registered now, S/N 18052819, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052819
- Airframe hours: 1336
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lee R. Lytton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1986, 12 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 325 total, 190 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860622026479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860622026479A), Jun 22, 1986: Cessna 180K, Ronan, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot seat came unlatched and slid back on the takeoff roll. Pilot lost control and aircraft ground looped.

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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