# NTSB LAX84LA123: Cessna 180K, N2991K, Melville Lake, CA, December 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1983, 13:01 local (21:01 UTC)
- Place: Melville Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 34.520767, -116.880744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5208&lon=-116.8807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF FROM A DRY LAKE BED AFTER THE LANDING GEAR HAD SNAGGED A TENT. IN PREPARING TO LEAVE THE PLT NOTICED A SMALL TENT ON THE LAKE BED. HE BELIEVED HE COULD OVERFLY IT ON TAKEOFF BUT THE LANDING GEAR DID NOT CLEAR THE TENT. PART OF THE NYLON CANOPY FROM THE UNOCCUPIED TENT REMAINED ON THE GEAR SO THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND. WHILE TURNING AT LOW ALTITUDE TO ALIGN THE ACFT FOR LANDING THE ACFT STALLED AND LANDED HARD ON THE LEFT GEAR AND WING TIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2991K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2991K), registered now, S/N 18053154 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18053154
- Airframe hours: 520
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard D. Kelty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1983, 65 hours before
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 178 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19831229064379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831229064379A), Dec 29, 1983: Cessna 180K, Melville, CA, Substantial damage. Landng gear snagged on a tent on takeoff. Stalled and landed hard while maneuvering to land. Broke both wings.

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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