# NTSB LAX81FVM11: Cessna 180, N1502C, Palo Alto, CA, February 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 3, 1981
- Place: Palo Alto, CA · PALO ALTO, CA
- Location: 37.3965° N, 122.1431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palo Alto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3965&lon=-122.1431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVM11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVM11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0246   81/2/3  NR.PALO ALTO,CA       CESSNA 180          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 65, 1200
        TIME - 1858                    N1502C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 980 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PALO ALTO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BIGGS,CA                   PALO ALTO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: VENTS,DRAINS,TANK CAPS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - CORRODED/CORROSION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- QUICK DRAINS PLUGGED,COULD NOT BE OPENED.ACFT FUELED FRM OWNER'S PVT TANK.HIT LEVEE SHORT OF RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1502C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1502C-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 30202, built 1953 (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-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Palo Alto

## 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 19810203002549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810203002549A), Feb 3, 1981: Cessna 180, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on final approach. Aircraft crashed when pilot attempted emergency landing. Fuel contamination.

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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