# NTSB LAX83LA323: Cessna 180A, N5328D, Hawthorne, NV, July 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1983, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, NV
- Coordinates: 38.48022, -118.640701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4802&lon=-118.6407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA323

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT UPON ARRIVAL IN THE HAWTHORNE AREA, THE WINDS REPORTED BY UNICOM WERE EXTREMELY VARIABLE AT 27 KTS GUSTING TO 35 KTS. THE UNICOM OPERATOR RECOMMENDED RWY 28, THEN RWY 15 AND FINALLY SETTLED ON RWY 23 AS THE BEST FOR THE WIND CONDITION. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL THRU THE WHEEL LANDING BUT AT THE TRANSITION TO A THREE POINT ATTITUDE THE WIND SHIFTED APRX 40 DEG TO THE LEFT AND IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID A GROUND LOOP HE WENT OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT. JUST AFTER DEPARTING THE RWY, THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL ENCOUNTERED SOFT SAND WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5328D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18050226
- Airframe hours: 2940
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nicholas J. Schaller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1983, 36 hours before
- Departed: DTA, DELTA, UT
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HTH, Hawthorne Municipal, runway 23, 2,815 × 170 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 303 total, 157 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 27 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTH

## 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 19830706034349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830706034349A), Jul 6, 1983: Cessna 180A, Hawthorne, NV, Substantial damage. Windshift as tail lowered on a wheel landing. Ran off the runway to stop a ground loop. Wheels hit soft sand.

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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