# NTSB LAX90LA149: Cessna 180, N9394C, Soledad, CA, April 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1990, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Soledad, CA
- Coordinates: 36.390956, -121.299057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3910&lon=-121.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA149

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE GUSTY WIND AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF HIS CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRCRAFT AS ITS TAIL WAS RAISED OFF THE GROUND. AT THE TIME THE SURFACE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AND WAS GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY, ENTERED ROUGH UNEVEN TERAIN AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9394C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9394C), registered now, S/N 31792, 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: 31792
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 J1B 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael A. Michaud
- Airport: 53CA, Chalone Vineyard, runway 25, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 284 total, 180 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19900415010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900415010279A), Apr 15, 1990: Cessna 180, Soledad, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll in gusty crosswind. Veered off runway struck a pothole and nosed over.

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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