# NTSB LAX83LA202: Cessna 180, N2473C, Long Beach, CA, April 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1983, 10:32 local (18:32 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.810932, -118.180648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8109&lon=-118.1806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO AN ON-DUTY, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. AFTER COMPLETING SEVERAL LANDINGS, THE PLT MADE AN APCH TO RWY 16R. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT REPORTEDLY PITCHED DOWNWARD, AND AFTER TOUCHDOWN BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN, THEN THE LEFT WING TIP IMPACTED THE RWY & THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2473C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2473C), registered now, S/N 30773, built 1954 (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
- Serial number: 30773
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth R. Keesling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1982, 25 hours before
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 16R, 5,022 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB

## 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 19830417019709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830417019709A), Apr 17, 1983: Cessna 180, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control during practice takeoffs and landings. Wing tip hit runway and aircraft ground looped

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.