# NTSB LAX00LA177: Cessna 180, N9344C, N. Las Vegas, NV, April 29, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 2000, 17:05 local (Apr 29, 2000, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: N. Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.21912, -115.170616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2191&lon=-115.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA177

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his improper positioning of the flight controls.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

Prior to landing the pilot received ATIS information reporting winds to be from 220 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots.  The airplane landed right of centerline, and while taxiing to exit the runway, was struck by a gust of wind that moved the airplane further to the right of centerline.  He corrected with left rudder when another gust of wind caught the tail from the left side and lifted it into the air.  The airplane nosed down and then came to rest on its main landing gear.  The pilot noted no discrepancies with the airframe.

## Factual narrative

On April 28, 2000, at 1705 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9344C, veered off runway 25 while taxiing to exit the runway at the North Las Vegas airport, Las Vegas, Nevada.  The airplane, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage.  The private pilot/owner and one passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at the Cameron Park, California, airport at 1400 the day of the accident, and was to terminate at the accident airport.

The pilot reported that he received the current ATIS information, which reported the winds to be from 220 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots.  He noted that during the approach it was very windy and bumpy all the way down to the runway.  He landed right of centerline and indicated that the wind was moving the airplane to the right of the runway.  He saw the landing lights to the right side, and input left rudder to correct back to centerline and started to taxi off the runway at 3-5 mph.  He was correcting with left rudder when another gust of wind caught the tail from the left side and lifted it into the air.  The airplane nosed down and then came to rest on its main landing gear.  The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9344C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9344C), registered now, S/N 31742, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180
- 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: 31742
- Airframe hours: 4967
- Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale A. Mccomb
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1999, 51 hours before
- Departed: O61, CAMERON PARK, CA
- Destination: VGT
- Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas, runway 25, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 175 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VGT

## 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 20000428007179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000428007179A), Apr 28, 2000: Cessna 180, Las Vegas, NV, No damage. (-23) After landing in gusty wind conditions, the tail came up and the nose of the a/c struck the runway causing substantial damage to the front of he a/c.

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.

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