# NTSB DEN90LA105: Cessna C-180E, N8679X, Helena, MT, May 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1990, 11:14 local (17:14 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.530456, -112.21054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5305&lon=-112.2105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA105

## Probable cause

THE MALFUNCTION OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flt control syst,rudder control attach points - disconnected (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - worn (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS MAKING HIS FOURTH LANDING OF THE MORNING. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AS PLANNED AND THEN HE LET THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCH DOWN ON THE RUNWAY. HE IMMEDIATELY FELT A VIBRATION AND HE LIFTED THE TAIL WHEEL BACK OFF OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE TAIL WHEEL CAME OFF THE RUNWAY HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT GROUND-LOOPED. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL WHEEL BEARING AND PIVOT WAS WORN. IN ADDITION, THE RIGHT RUDDER BRAKE PEDAL RETURN SPRING WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE ATTACHMENT BRACKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8679X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8679X), registered now, S/N 18051079, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-180E
- Registry model: [Cessna 180E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180e) (registry code 2072612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051079
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Melvin O. Tiensvold
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1989, 60 hours before
- Airport: HLN, Helena Regional, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,140 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,040 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLN

## 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 19900506014069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900506014069A), May 6, 1990: Cessna 180E, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing roll. Tail wheel bearing worn. Right brake pedal return spring came off bracket.

## Other investigations on N8679X (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 SEA72FTI20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FTI20), May 29, 1972: Cessna 180 (N8679X), Shelby, MT, 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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