# NTSB GAA18CA164: Cessna 180, N9463C, Mount Vernon, WA, March 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 9, 2018, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Mount Vernon, WA - Coordinates: 48.470554, -122.421669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4706&lon=-122.4217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96875/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96875 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA164 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the airplane bounced, he added power, and the airplane settled on the runway. During the landing roll he lost directional control, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, and the left wing struck the ground. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing ribs and spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing the airplane bounced, he added power, and the airplane settled on the runway. During the landing roll he lost directional control, the airplane exited the right side of the runway, and the left wing struck the ground. The pilot taxied the airplane to parking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing ribs and spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9463C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9463C), registered now, S/N 31861, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 31861 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 5226.8 - Engines: Continental O-470J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2017 - Departed: WA77, Enumclaw, WA - Destination: S31, LOPEZ, WA - Airport: BVS, Skagit Rgnl, runway 11, 5,478 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review November 4, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 13 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KBVS ## 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 20180309001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180309001829A), Mar 9, 2018: Cessna 180, Burlington, WA, Substantial damage. On March 9, 2018 at, or about, 1150 local time the aircraft was landing on runway 11 at bayview airport (bvs) in Burlington, WA. At the time there was about a… ## Other investigations on N9463C (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 LAX90LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA344), Aug 2, 1990: Cessna 180 (N9463C), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE DISTANCE FROM A MD-80'S JET EXHAUST. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96875. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.