# NTSB DEN89LA215: Cessna 180K, N2705K, Englewood, CO, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1989, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.579078, -104.860084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5791&lon=-104.8601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA215

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT & A PSGR WERE MAKING A LOCAL FLT.  THE PLT SAID HE PLANNED A TOUCH & GO LANDING ON RWY 17R WITH WINDS FROM 280 DEG AT 4 KTS.  HE SAID THAT AT TOUCHDOWN, HE FELT A 'SHIMMY' FROM THE TAILWHEEL.  HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SHIMMY BY RELAXING THE BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE.  HE THEN REAPPLIED THE BACK PRESSURE & LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RWY TO THE RIGHT & GROUND LOOPED.  THE LEFT WING, STABILIZER & ELEVATOR WERE DAMAGED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2705K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2705K), registered now, S/N 18053040, built 1979 (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: 18053040
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U4 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James M. Leake
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: APA
- Destination: APA
- Airport: APA, Contennial, runway 17R, 7,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,960 total, 55 in this make and model, 2,780 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890902037559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890902037559A), Sep 2, 1989: Cessna 180K, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Reported tailwheel shimmy landing. Veered off runway. No defects found.

## Other investigations on N2705K (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 FTW82DA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA045), Jan 18, 1982: Cessna 180K (N2705K), S.E. Of Houma, LA, substantial damage

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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