# NTSB LAX84LA075: Cessna 180, N4509B, Ocotillo Wells, CA, November 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1983, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Ocotillo Wells, CA
- Coordinates: 32.719257, -115.880393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7193&lon=-115.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24095
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24095/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING ARRIVAL, HE CHECKED FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS & THERE APPEARED TO BE A LIGHT X-WING OF APPX 5 TO 8 KTS. HOWEVER, WHILE ON THE LANDING ROLL, HE ENCOUNTER AN UNEXPECTED WIND THAT YAWED THE ACFT TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. REPORTEDLY, THE WIND WAS FROM 090 DEG AT 8, GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4509B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4509B), registered now, S/N 31408, 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: 41055-3-J
- Airframe hours: 3650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert P. Bryson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1983
- Departed: SEE, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: L90, Ocotillo Wells, runway 12, 4,100 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 188 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19831126075229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831126075229A), Nov 26, 1983: Cessna 180, Ocotillo Wells, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing rollout.

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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