# NTSB DEN99LA153: Cessna 180, N1630C, Heber City, UT, August 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1999, 20:20 local (Aug 22, 1999, 02:20 UTC) - Place: Heber City, UT - Coordinates: 40.430522, -111.190963 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4305&lon=-111.1910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47135/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA153 ## Probable cause The stripped threads and subsequent separation of the left hydraulic brake line leading to fluid loss and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control. ## 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 - hydraulic system,line - stripped thread (cause) - hydraulic system,line - separation (cause) - fluid,hydraulic - loss,partial - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve ## Analysis The pilot said approaching dusk reduced visibility, and he decided not to continue his trip. He landed at Heber Valley Airport. As he applied brakes, the airplane veered to the right. The left wing struck the runway, and the airplane ground looped. A trail of brake fluid was found on the runway. The left brake line had separated from the caliper assembly. The threads were stripped out. There was no loop, or slack, in the brake line. The airplane had brake work done a year before the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1999, approximately 2020 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180, N1630C, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Heber Valley-Russ McDonald Field, Heber City, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Fullerton, California, at 1220 Pacific daylight time. According to the pilot, "dusk seemed to set in quickly and visibility to the north was reducing rapidly." He decided not to continue further but land instead at Heber Valley Airport. He determined the winds were calm and was advised by another pilot that runway 21 was the active runway. He made a three point landing. As brakes were applied, the airplane veered to the right, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane ground looped. According to the airport manager, a stain, similar to brake fluid, was found on the runway and led to where the airplane came to a halt. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and reported that the left brake line separated from the caliper assembly, stripping the threads. There was no loop, or slack, in the brake line. The airplane had brake work done a year before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1630C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1630C), registered now, S/N 30330, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - 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: 30330 - Airframe hours: 4682 - Engines: Continental O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: James E. & Patsy A. Delaney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1998, 30 hours before - Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA - Destination: PNA, PINEDALE, WY - Airport: 36U, Heber Valley, runway 21, 6,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 371 total, 167 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PVU, 27 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 19990821013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990821013159A), Aug 21, 1999: Cessna 180, Heber, UT, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped on landing. (-23) upon a 3 point landing at Heber Valley Airport, aircraft went out of control for the pilot when brakes were applied,… ## Other investigations on N1630C (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 WPR11CA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA100), Jan 14, 2011: Cessna 180 (N1630C), Fullerton, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. 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.