# NTSB LAX00LA313: Cessna 180, N2443C, Cameron Park, CA, August 27, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2000, 09:22 local (16:22 UTC)
- Place: Cameron Park, CA
- Coordinates: 38.610275, -120.969429 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6103&lon=-120.9694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50128/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=50128
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA313

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to verify the seat latch was secure, resulting in the pilot's inability to reach the flight controls necessary to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage,seat - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - equipment,other - not verified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot's seat slid backwards when takeoff power was applied.  His airplane was equipped with a secondary friction lock, but the seat only stopped momentarily.  As the seat slid further aft, he reduced power.  The airplane started to drift left, but he could not reach the rudder pedals.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway, completed about 270 degrees of turn, and the right main gear collapsed.

## Factual narrative

On August 27, 2000, at 0922 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N2443C, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during the takeoff roll from the airport at Cameron Park, California.  The private pilot/owner was operating the airplane on a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot sustained minor injuries, and his passenger was uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated he pushed the seat handle down after moving his seat to the desired position; however, his seat slid backwards when takeoff power was applied.  His airplane was equipped with a secondary friction lock, but the seat only stopped momentarily.  As the seat slid further aft, he reduced power.  The airplane started to drift left, but he could not reach the rudder pedals.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway and completed about 270 degrees of turn.  The right main gear collapsed resulting in damage to the gearbox.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2443C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30743
- Airframe hours: 3970
- Engines: Continental IO-550-D16B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Petersen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2000
- Departed: 061
- Destination: RNM, RAMONA, CA
- Airport: O61, Cameron Airpark, runway 31, 4,060 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,855 total, 810 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 151 °F, dew point 131 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 30 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 20000827006849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000827006849A), Aug 27, 2000: Cessna 180, Cameron Park, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During take off roll the pilot's seat moved aft. Pilot pulled the throttle off, but loss directional control of the aircraft. This was due to the seat…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2001, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=50128. 506 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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