# NTSB GAA15CA125: Cessna 180B, N5067E, Waterloo, IA, June 6, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 6, 2015, 12:49 local (17:49 UTC) - Place: Waterloo, IA - Coordinates: 42.562778, -92.401947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5628&lon=-92.4019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Textron Aviation, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91377 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91377/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91377 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA125 ## Probable cause The incorrect installation of the secondary seat stop reel which resulted in the pilot's loss of control when the seat moved full aft during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Equipment/furnishings: flight compartment equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the seat slid to its full aft position. He was unable to reach the control pedals and attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot was not able to control the airplane and it yawed left into a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, right wing, and right aileron. A postaccident examination by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge and Textron Aviation revealed the secondary seat stop reel was not installed according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The incorrect installation prevented the primary seat adjustment mechanism from fully engaging into the holes in the seat rail. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the seat slid to its full aft position. He was unable to reach the control pedals and attempted to abort the takeoff. The pilot was not able to control the airplane and it yawed left into a ground loop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, right wing, and right aileron. A postaccident examination by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge and Textron Aviation revealed the secondary seat stop reel was not installed according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The incorrect installation prevented the primary seat adjustment mechanism from fully engaging into the holes in the seat rail. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5067E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5067E), registered now, S/N 50367, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180B - Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50367 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 4704 - Engines: CONTINENTAL MOTORS O-470-K 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rickenbach Brothers Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Rickenbach Brothers Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2014 - Departed: ALO, Waterloo, IA - Destination: 88C, PALMYRA, WI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ALO, Waterloo Rgnl, runway 18, 6,003 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 16, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,941 total, 445 in this make and model, 9,725 as pilot in command, 253 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KALO, 1 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 20150606008569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150606008569A), Jun 6, 2015: Cessna 180B, Waterloo, IA, Substantial damage. During the take off roll, the pilot's seat suddenly became disengaged from the seat stop. The secondary seat stop which had been installed in November of 2014… ## Other investigations on N5067E (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 SEA74DTI06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DTI06-138627), Aug 4, 1974: Cessna 180 (N5067E), Ferndale, MT, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91377. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 653 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Textron Seat Examination Report (item 2, .PDF, 10 photos, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Textron%20Seat%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Certification of Party Representative (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Right Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Horizontal Stabilizer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Horizontal%20Stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.