# NTSB LAX84FA389: Cessna 180, N4697B, Randsburg, CA, July 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1984, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Randsburg, CA
- Coordinates: 35.389629, -117.730598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3896&lon=-117.7306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA389
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA389

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A 1200 FT LONG AIRSTRIP. HE LANDED THE ACFT WITH A TAILWIND AND TOUCHED DOWN APRX 600 FT FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A CATERPILLAR TRACTOR. THE FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE ESTIMATED TO HAVE WEIGHED 1000 LBS COLLECTIVELY. THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 7500 FT. EXAMINATION OF THE PROP AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT WAS INDICATIVE OF A HIGH PWR SETTING AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4697B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4697B-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 31595, built 1955 (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: 31595
- Airframe hours: 3062
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Melvin Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: RANDSBURG, CA
- Airport: runway 31, 1,200 × 36 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 108 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NID, 13 nm away

## 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 19840712031809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840712031809A), Jul 12, 1984: Cessna 180, Randsburg, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Landed long down hill on a 1200 foot strip. Veered off onto a road. Hit a bulldozer on a belated go around attempt.

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.