# NTSB LAX90LA207: Cessna 180, N21Y, Colusa, CA, June 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1990, 18:30 local (Jun 4, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Colusa, CA
- Coordinates: 39.270175, -122.049064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2702&lon=-122.0491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA207

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

AT THE TIME OF THE PILOT'S DEPARTURE HE WAS AWARE THAT THE LOCAL SURFACE WIND WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO REQUIRE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. AN HOUR LATER UPON THE PILOT'S RETURN HE MADE A FULL FLAP LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS AWARE THE WIND WAS 90 DEGREES TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG GUST OF WIND. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY, WENT INTO A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21Y), registered now, S/N 30837, built 1954 (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: 30837
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas F. Roach, Jr.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: OO8, Colusa County, runway 31, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900603017939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900603017939A), Jun 3, 1990: Cessna 180, Colusa, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control trying to land in crosswind. Veered off runway 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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