# NTSB LAX05CA145: Cessna 180, N270KC, Corona, CA, April 23, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2005, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.897777, -117.604164 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8978&lon=-117.6042&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 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Riverside, CA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61356/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA145 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind/wind gust condition and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. ## 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 - gusts - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vasi light/system ## Analysis The airplane ground looped off the runway during landing and collided with a VASI light fixture. During landing rollout on runway 25, the pilot encountered a 16- to 20-knot wind gust from 240 degrees, and he lost directional control of his airplane. The airplane veered off the runway, and it impacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights. The pilot's approach, touchdown, and the initial portion of the rollout had been normal. A wind gust was encountered during the latter portion of the rollout. A witness, who was standing on the tarmac, reported that the wind was gusting to 20 knots about the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction or failure with his airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 2005, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N270KC, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped during landing on runway 25 at the Corona Municipal Airport, California. During rollout the pilot encountered a wind gust, and he lost directional control of his airplane. It veered off the runway and impacted the visual approach slope indicator (VASI) lights. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Perris Valley, California, about 1445. The pilot verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that his approach, touchdown, and the initial portion of the rollout was normal in all respects. However, during the latter portion of the rollout a gust of wind was encountered, which raised the right wing of the airplane. Immediately thereafter, he lost control of the airplane. The pilot also stated that he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction or failure with his airplane. The pilot subsequently reported that during landing the wind was from 240 degrees at 14 knots, and he had experienced a 16- to 20-knot gust from the same direction. A witness, who was standing on the tarmac, reported that the wind was gusting to 20 knots about the time of the accident. According to the National Weather Service, at 1453, the Chino Airport (about 6 miles northwest of Corona) reported its wind was from 260 degrees at 12 knots, with 19-knot gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N270KC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N270KC), registered now, S/N 31505, 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-470R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470r) (registry code 17071, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31505 - Engines: Continental O-470J reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert J. Allen - Registered owner: Robert J. Allen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L65, Perris Valley, CA - Destination: AJO, CORONA, CA - Airport: AJO, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 300 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: CNO, 6 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 20050423007319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050423007319A), Apr 23, 2005: Cessna 180, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] and passenger [privacy data omitted] ^ departed Corona airport, Corona CA around 8:30 p.m., on April 23, 2005. The… 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.