# NTSB LAX89LA330: Cessna 180, N519TW, Flagstaff, AZ, September 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1989, 12:43 local (19:43 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.230155, -111.720809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2302&lon=-111.7208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA330

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE.  THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH RUDDER AND TAILWHEEL STEERING WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,total (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE STARTED TO USE THE BRAKES TO STEER THE AIRCRAFT, AFTER MAKING A WHEEL LANDING, HE DISCOVEREDTHAT HE 'HAD NO LEFT BRAKE.'  AT THAT MOMENT, THE TAILWHEEL WAS STILL SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE RUNWAY SURFACE, SO HE HAD NO TAILWHEEL STEERING & HIS RUDDER WAS BECOMING INEFFECTIVE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N519TW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31182
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Thomas
- Departed: L01, LLANO, CA
- Destination: FLG
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890928037019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890928037019A), Sep 28, 1989: Cessna 180, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. Swerved on landing, lost left brake. Aircraft ground looped. Pilot report indicates master cylinder failure.

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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