# NTSB LAX01LA155: Cessna 180K, N66033, Glendale, AZ, April 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 22, 2001, 14:26 local (21:26 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.527221, -112.29528 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5272&lon=-112.2953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52112 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52112/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop/swerve and collision with a runway marker sign. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis During landing the airplane collided with a runway marker sign. The pilot stated that he lost directional control due to a sudden gust of wind. The closest weather reporting station was at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport about 17 statute miles east of Glendale airport, and reported the wind to be 120 at 4 knots with no gusts. ## Factual narrative On April 22, 2001, at 1426 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180K, N66033, collided with a runway marker while landing in Glendale, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage; however, the certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The personal flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Corona, California, about 1200 Pacific daylight time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was making a wheel landing and was in the process of lowering the tail when the airplane drifted off the right side of runway 19. The right horizontal stabilizer struck a runway marker. The pilot added power and aborted the landing. On the second approach he landed without incident. A post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator were crushed and partially separated from the empennage. The closest weather station was Phoenix Sky Harbor airport about 17 statute miles to the east of Glendale airport, and reported the winds to be 120 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66033](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66033), registered now, S/N 18052906, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052906 - Airframe hours: 1240 - Engines: Continental O-470L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bruce A. Nelson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2001, 84 hours before - Departed: AJO, Corona, CA - Destination: GEU, Glendale, AZ - Airport: GEU, Glendale Municipal, runway 19, 5,350 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 12,500 total, 150 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: PHX ## 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 20010422007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010422007939A), Apr 22, 2001: Cessna 180K, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19)On April 22, 2001, at 1426 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 180K, N66033, collided with a runway marker while landing in Glendale, Arizona. The… ## Other investigations on N66033 (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 WPR10CA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA246), May 19, 2010: Cessna 180K (N66033), Renton, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, resulting in the loss of directional control during the landing roll. 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.