# NTSB LAX80FVG45: Cessna 185, N9960X, Arbuckle, CA, June 20, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 20, 1980
- Place: Arbuckle, CA · ARBUCKLE, CA
- Location: 39.0142° N, 122.0610° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arbuckle, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0142&lon=-122.0610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVG45
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVG45

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1462  80/6/20  NR.ARBUCKLE,CA        CESSNA 185          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 2400
        TIME - 1230                    N9960X              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 220 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - KALFSBEEK STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ARBUCKLE,CA                  FT. BRAGG,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
        REMARKS- PILOT SEAT SLID BACK ON TAKEOFF, PIC UNABLE TO REACH RUDDER PEDALS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9960X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9960X-1981-10-20), registration cancelled 1981-10-20, S/N 1850160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185) (registry code 2072802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Kalfsbeek Strip

## 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 19800620022039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800620022039A), Jun 20, 1980: Cessna 185, Arbuckle, CA, Destroyed. Seat not latched, slid backward on takeoff. Lost directional control. Veered off runway into trees.

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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