# NTSB LAX85LA291: Cessna 180, N2451F, Murrieta, CA, June 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1985, 17:01 local (Jun 24, 1985, 00:01 UTC)
- Place: Murrieta, CA
- Location: 33.5539° N, 117.2139° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Murrieta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5539&lon=-117.2139&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): 24753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA291

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED HE MADE A HARD LANDING AFTER WHICH, THE AIRCRAFT GOT AWAY FROM HIM AND GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2451F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2451F), registered now, S/N 18051652, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051652
- Airframe hours: 1540
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gordon L. Mountjoy
- Registered owner: Phillip I. Paul
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1985, 8 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Destination: MURRIETA, CA
- Airport: L86, Thompson, runway 18, 2,682 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 19 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 19850623027369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850623027369A), Jun 23, 1985: Cessna 180H, Murrieta, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot made a hard landing and directional control was lost resulting in a ground loop.

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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