# NTSB LAX81FVD02: Cessna 170B, N1839C, San Rafael, CA, October 12, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 12, 1980
- Place: San Rafael, CA · SAN RAFAEL, CA
- Location: 37.9810° N, 122.5069° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Rafael, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9810&lon=-122.5069&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVD02
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVD02

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2779  80/10/12   SAN RAFAEL,CA       CESSNA 170B         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 34, 50 TOTAL
        TIME - 0930                    N1839C              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  HOURS, 14 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SMITH RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NOVATO,CA                   SAN RAFAEL,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDING
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SOFT SHOULDERS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1839C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1839C), registered now, S/N 25983, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Smith Ranch

## 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 19801012057339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801012057339A), Oct 12, 1980: Cessna 170B, San Rafael, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control during landing and aircraft flipped inverted.

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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