# NTSB FTW85LA138: Cessna 180, N4679B, Lockhart, TX, March 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1985, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lockhart, TX
- Coordinates: 29.869401, -97.669212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8694&lon=-97.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING SHORT FIELD LANDINGS AT A PRIVATE LANDING STRIP, GOT TOO LOW ON THE APPROACH & SNAGGED HIS HORIZONTAL STABILIZER ON A TREE STUMP ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4679B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31577
- Airframe hours: 2132
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: H.Y. Price III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1984, 184 hours before
- Departed: SRZ, SAN MARCOS, TX
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 36, 2,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19850305008039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850305008039A), Mar 5, 1985: Cessna 180, Lockhart, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a 10 foot tree stump while on final. The pilot was practicing short field landings.

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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