# NTSB GAA19CA517: Cessna 180, N180TB, Arlington, WA, August 20, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 20, 2019, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.160831, -122.159164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1608&lon=-122.1592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA517 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100135/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100135 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA517 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the seat before takeoff, which resulted in it sliding back during takeoff and rendering him unable to reach the rudder pedals and throttle lever, a subsequent runway excursion, ground loop, and impact with a berm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuselage: seat/cargo attach fitting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035347): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035347/cases.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035347/cases.md) - [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 180F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072614), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before takeoff, he adjusted his seat. During takeoff, his seat slid back, and he was not able to reach the rudder pedals or throttle lever. The airplane accelerated, veered left, exited the runway to the left, ground looped, and impacted a berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, prior to takeoff, he adjusted his seat. During takeoff, his seat slid back and he was not able to reach the rudder pedals or throttle lever. The airplane accelerated, veered left, exited the runway to the left, ground looped, and impacted a berm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180TB), registered now, S/N 18051273, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051273 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3512.2 - Engines: Continental PPONK conversation O-47050 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AWO, Arlington, WA - Destination: W10, Langley, WA - Airport: AWO, Arlington Muni, runway 34, 5,332 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; flight engineer, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 28,246 total, 1,706 in this make and model, 20,942 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KAWO ## 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 20190820015429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190820015429A), Aug 20, 2019: Cessna 180F, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. During departure rollout and takeoff acceleration; power applied; seat slippage occurred, preventing the pilot from manipulating the aircraft controls. Due to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100135. 643 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480086&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 179 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480087&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.