# NTSB FTW93LA099: Cessna 180J, N7770K, Albuquerque, NM, March 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 1993, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Location: 35.1449° N, 106.7952° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DOUBLE EAGLE II (AEG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1449&lon=-106.7952&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA099 ## Probable cause AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS VIBRATION IN THE TAILWHEEL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## 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 - landing gear,tailwheel - vibration (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING A LANDING AT A LOCAL AIRPORT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED VIBRATION IN THE AIRPLANE ON A PREVIOUS LANDING, WHICH HE FELT ORIGINATED IN THE TAILWHEEL. THE PILOT AND A MECHANIC TIGHTENED THE TAILWHEEL NUT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO PROCEED TO HIS NEXT DESTINATION AND DURING THE LANDING THE VIBRATION RECURRED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE TAILWHEEL REVEALED NO ANOMALIES. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 1993, at approximately 1530 mountain standard time, during the landing roll at Double Eagle II Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, a Cessna 180J, N7770K, was substantially damaged following a loss of control. The private pilot did not sustain injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the accident site. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Damage involved the left wing and left elevator. During an interview with the pilot by the FAA inspector, the pilot stated the facts in this paragraph. The tailwheel developed a "severe vibration" during a landing at the Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, earlier that day. The pilot and a mechanic tightened the tailwheel nut. During the landing roll at the Double Eagle II Airport, the tailwheel "vibration occurred and the airplane veered to the right of the runway and ground looped." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7770K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7770K), registered now, S/N 18052726, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052726 - Airframe hours: 1187 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George H. Burk - Registered owner: George H. Burk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1992, 187 hours before - Airport: AEG, Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,057 total, 674 in this make and model, 985 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19930308004649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930308004649A), Mar 8, 1993: Cessna 180J, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing roll. Blamed tail wheel shimmy. No defects found. ## Other investigations on N7770K (2) 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 CEN24LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA126), Feb 28, 2024: Cessna 180 (N7770K), Alexandria, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a gusting crosswind. - [NTSB WPR21LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA327), May 6, 2021: Cessna 180J (N7770K), Buffalo, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with terrain. 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.