# NTSB LAX90LA294: Cessna 180H, N2790X, San Carlos, CA, August 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1990, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.489009, -122.260108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4890&lon=-122.2601&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 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA294

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TAILWHEEL AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A THREE POINT LANDING FLARE ATTITUDE JUST ABOVE THE RUNWAY WHEN THE NOSE BEGAN TO YAW TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE APPLIED A LEFT RUDDER INPUT TO CORRECT THE YAW; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN PRIOR TO THE RUDDER INPUT CORRECTING THE YAW ANGLE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER THE MAIN WHEELS TOUCHED THE RUNWAY HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT GROUND LOOPED. EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S REPORTED FLIGHT TIME REVEALED THAT HE HAS LESS THAN 30 HOURS OF TIME IN THE CESSNA 180H AIRCRAFT, AND, LESS THAN 50 HOURS OF TOTAL TAIL WHEEL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2790X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2790X-1996-01-12), registration cancelled 1996-01-12, S/N 18051590 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51590
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James I. Hoyle
- Departed: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA
- Destination: SQL
- Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 122 total, 29 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SQL

## 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 19900821035259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900821035259A), Aug 21, 1990: Cessna 180H, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped after 3 point landing in a crab angle.

## Other investigations on N2790X (3)

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 SEA95LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA125), Jun 23, 1995: Cessna 180H (N2790X), Monroe, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.
- [NTSB LAX93LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA233), May 31, 1993: Cessna 180 (N2790X), Davenport, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL TO AVOID THE HIGH VEGETATION. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN THE CLIMB AIRSPEED AND THE INADVERTENT…
- [NTSB LAX90LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA126), Mar 26, 1990: Cessna 180H (N2790X), San Carlos, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE 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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