# NTSB LAX02LA127: Cessna 180J, N7821K, Saline Valley, CA, April 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 2002, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Saline Valley, CA - Coordinates: 36.816665, -117.783332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8167&lon=-117.7833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54476/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54476 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing rollout after encountering a water erosion rut in the runway's uneven surface. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - not maintained - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uneven (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) ## Analysis During landing rollout, the airplane encountered a deep water erosion depression in the runway's surface. Thereafter, the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane veered off the runway, collided with a rock, and nosed over. The gravel runway was not maintained and had an uneven washboard-like surface. During the previous 90 days, the pilot had landed at the airstrip about 6 times and had not experienced any mishap. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 2002, about 1145 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 180J, N7821K, nosed over during landing rollout on an unidentified airstrip in the Saline Valley, Death Valley National Park, California. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, nor the passenger was injured. The airplane was being operated on a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Angwin, California, about 0930. According to a spokesperson with the National Park Service (NPS), the airstrip's existence is not depicted on aeronautical charts. Although a windsock is present at the airstrip, no facilities exist and the airstrip is not maintained by the NPS. The spokesperson additionally indicated that the airstrip's runway has a "washboard-like" contour, and rocks and debris from various airplanes or vehicles have been observed in the vicinity. The airstrip has been used by pilots for years while the NPS has been evaluating whether it will continue to sanction its usage. It is located in close proximity to rising terrain, and the runway is only usable in a single direction. The airstrip is locally known as the "Chicken Strip." The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the wind was calm during his landing. The pilot indicated that during rollout he encountered a deep water erosion depression in the runway's surface. Thereafter, he lost directional control; the airplane veered off the runway, collided with a nearby rock, and nosed over. No mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the airplane. During the past 90 days, the pilot has landed at the airstrip approximately 6 times. The pilot opined that the runway's gravel surface had eroded due to rain runoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7821K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7821K), registered now, S/N 18052755, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052755 - Airframe hours: 3226 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles A. Dake, Jr. - Registered owner: O. L. Ranch, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2001, 69 hours before - Departed: 2O3, Angwin, CA - Destination: BIH, Bishop, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Saline Valley Airstrip, runway 36, 2,000 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 21, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 689 total, 532 in this make and model, 678 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 13 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: NID, 65 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 20020405005409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020405005409A), Apr 5, 2002: Cessna 180J, Salinevalley, CA, No damage. (-23) During landing roll on an unimproved dirt landing strip the aircraft encountered a rain errosion ditch which caused the aircraft to veer off the runway… ## Other investigations on N7821K (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 LAX03LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA140), Apr 22, 2003: Cessna 180J (N7821K), Angwin, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54476. 336 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423345&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. --- 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.