# NTSB LAX83LA156: Cessna 120, N72548, Long Beach, CA, March 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1983, 10:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.810161, -118.180679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8102&lon=-118.1807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA156

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing
  - wing,bracing strut - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT DURING ROLLOUT AFTER LANDING HE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A TAXIWAY WHEN A GROUND LOOP OCCURRED. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS SHEARED DURING THE GROUND LOOPED AND THE LEFT WING BROKE AT THE STRUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72548](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72548), registered now, S/N 9718, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9718
- Airframe hours: 30000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph V. Buonadonna
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1982
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 25, 5,420 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,150 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830325076019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830325076019A), Mar 25, 1983: Cessna 120, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped, collapsed left main gear and damaged left wing taxiing off of the runway after landing.

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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