# NTSB LAX85LA020: Cessna 180, N4902A, El Monte, CA, October 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1984, 16:08 local (23:08 UTC)
- Place: El Monte, CA
- Coordinates: 34.080352, -118.03067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0804&lon=-118.0307&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): 24579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - elevator - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A LOW TIME PVT PLT FLARED THE ACFT WHICH TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND BOUNCED. ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT ENTERED A GROUND LOOP TO THE RIGHT. APPLICATION OF RIGHT BRAKE AND RUDDER DID NOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. THE LEFT WING AND NOSE WENT DOWN & THE ACFT WENT OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER HE HAD OBTAINED A PVT PLT CERTIFICATE ON 03/03/84 AND HAD NOT FLOWN AFTER THAT DATE UNTIL THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4902A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4902A), registered now, S/N 32299, built 1956 (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: 32299
- Airframe hours: 4385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Philip G. Cornelius
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1984, 27 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Airport: EMT, El Monte, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 77 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMT

## 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 19841002059009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841002059009A), Oct 2, 1984: Cessna 180, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced on touchdown and then lost directional control. Pilot applied brakes and nosed over onto back.

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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