# NTSB LAX89LA302: Cessna 180, N1739C, Santa Ana, CA, September 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1989, 13:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Location: 33.6757° N, 117.8682° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JOHN WAYNE/ORANGE COUNTY (SNA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6757&lon=-117.8682&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA302
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA302

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AFTER BEING ADVISED OF POSSIBLE WAKE TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ABOUT ONE MINUTE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS CAUTIONED OF POSSIBLE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM A DEPARTING BOEING 737 ON RUNWAY 19L. DURING ROLL OUT THE RIGHT WING ROSE AND THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1739C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1739C), registered now, S/N 30439, built 1953 (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: 30439
- Airframe hours: 1993
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Russell, Scott
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 3, 1989, 106 hours before
- Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19L, 2,888 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 900 total, 22 in this make and model, 825 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890906033949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890906033949A), Sep 6, 1989: Cessna 180, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing and flipped over on landing. A combination of a departing jet's wake and gusty wind caused problem.

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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