# NTSB LAX89LA045: Cessna 180H, N7904V, Eureka, CA, November 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1988, 16:00 local (Nov 12, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, CA
- Coordinates: 40.800804, -124.149826 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8008&lon=-124.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN ON CALM WATER, THE FLOATPLANE PILOT NOTICED THREE PYLONS AHEAD. HE FELT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT SPACE TO ABORT, SO HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. JUST BEFORE REACHING THE PYLONS, HE ROTATED THE AIRPLANE IN AN EFFORT TO LIFT-OFF & CLEAR THE OBSTACLES. THE PLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT IT STALLED AND THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND STRUCK A PYLON. THERE WAS NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7904V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7904V), registered now, S/N 18051804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- 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: 18051804
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Richter, Allen P.
- Registered owner: Richter, Allen P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast

## 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 19881111050439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881111050439A), Nov 11, 1988: Cessna 180H, Eureka, CA, Substantial damage. On water takeoff, encountered pilings, tried to pull up to miss same and stalled the left wing. Struck pilings.

## Other investigations on N7904V (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC01LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA034), Nov 8, 2000: Cessna 180H (N7904V), Long Lake, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

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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