# NTSB FTW97LA093: Cessna 180K, N19694, Valentine, TX, January 22, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1997, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Valentine, TX
- Coordinates: 30.580734, -104.490676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5807&lon=-104.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA093

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and the excessive airspeed during the approach and landing. A factor was the dirt bank paralleling the airstrip.

## 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
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing on a 1,500-foot private dirt airstrip in the bottom of a canyon.  The airstrip was dogleg shaped, turning approximately 30 degrees at the midpoint, with parallel dirt banks on both sides.  The pilot further reported that he landed long and was 'too fast for the turn in the strip.'  The airplane exited the left side of the airstrip and impacted the dirt bank.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1997, at 1200 central standard time, a Cessna 180K, N19694, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on a private airstrip near Valentine, Texas.  The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight which originated from El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas.  A flight plan was not filed.

The pilot reported during two telephone conversations with the investigator-in-charge that he was landing on a 1,500 foot private dirt airstrip in the bottom of a canyon.  The airstrip was dog-leg in shape, turning approximately 30 degrees at the mid-point, with parallel dirt banks on both sides.  The pilot further reported that he landed long and was "too fast for the turn in the strip."  The tailwheel equipped airplane exited the left side of the airstrip and impacted the dirt bank.  The left main gear was separated from the fuselage, and the outer one-third of the left wing was bent upward.

Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19694](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19694), registered now, S/N 18053179, built 1981 (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: 18053179
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Malcolm Mcgregor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: NONE, TX
- Airport: NONE, Private Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19970122046839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970122046839A), Jan 22, 1997: Cessna 180K, Valentine, TX, No damage. (-23) The pilot was landing on a private strip. During the roll out on the dog legged strip, the left main landing gear hit a dirt berm. The left main gear,…

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.