# NTSB LAX90LA301: Cessna 180, N2985A, Calexico, CA, August 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1990, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.690338, -115.509704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6903&lon=-115.5097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA301

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENCOUNTER WITH UNFAVORABLE WIND, A DUST DEVIL, THAT RENDERED THE AIRCRAFT UNCONTROLLABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT OBSERVED DUST DEVILS IN THE VICINITY OF THE RUNWAY AS HE NEARED THE AIRPORT FOR LANDING. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE RUNWAY ON FINAL APPROACH THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED INTO THE AIR AND TURNED LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AGAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2985A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2985A-1992-02-07), registration cancelled 1992-02-07, S/N 30185 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30185
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson, James V.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: LTO, LOETO, BAJA
- Destination: CXL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CXL, Calexico Int'L, runway 26, 4,330 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 850 total, 375 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: IPL, 10 nm away

## 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 19900826038859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900826038859A), Aug 26, 1990: Cessna 180, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. Entered high sink rate. Lost control on hard runway impact. Blamed a dust devil.

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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