# NTSB LAX87LA131: Cessna 180, N4786B, Oatman, AZ, February 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1987, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Oatman, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.920196, -114.350013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9202&lon=-114.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TURBULENCE. THE PILOT SET UP FOR A FULL STALL TO LAND IN A THREE POINT ATTITUDE. DURING THE FLARE, A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT REAR BLEW THE AIRCRAFT TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO REGAIN CONTROL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4786B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4786B-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 31684, 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: 31684
- Airframe hours: 2549
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470J 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank J. Montonati
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1986, 25 hours before
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Destination: OATMAN, AZ
- Airport: White Chief Mine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 371 total, 286 in this make and model, 273 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EED, 20 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 19870228003679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870228003679A), Feb 28, 1987: Cessna 180, Oatman, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft collided with terrain to the side of the runway on rollout. Pilot reported a quartering tailwind gust.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.