# NTSB LAX84LA281: Cessna 180K, N66597, San Miguel Is, CA, May 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1984, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: San Miguel Is, CA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA281

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAKING OFF IN A 35 KT WIND WITH THE FLAPS EXTENDED. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE IN A 3 POINT ATTITUDE, & WHEN 2 TO 3 FT IN THE AIR, IT BEGAN A LEFT TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE WING DRAGGED THE GROUND & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID HE SHOULD HAVE RAISED THE ACFT'S TAIL EARLIER & NOT USED FLAPS. THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 40 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66597](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66597), registered now, S/N 18052949 (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: 18052949
- Airframe hours: 802
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Robert R. Bredin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1984, 4 hours before
- Destination: OXR, OXNARD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Lester Ranch House Strip, runway 30, 1,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,020 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,420 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 35 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19840505024709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840505024709A), May 5, 1984: Cessna 180K, San Miguel Isla, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft had just lifted off when wind caught airplane and flipped it inverted. Pilot used flaps for takeoff.

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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