# NTSB LAX91LA403: Cessna 180K, N63622, Mammoth Lakes, CA, September 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1991, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.580917, -118.839393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5809&lon=-118.8394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA403
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA403

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PIC'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON RUNWAY 09, A 7,000 FT BY 100 FT RUNWAY, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, GROUND LOOPED AND EXITED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT.  THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT EXPERIENCING ANY AIRPLANE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.  THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM 120 DEGREES AT 5 KTS, GUSTING TO 10 KTS AND THAT HE HAD LOGGED 14.5 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT ACFT MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63622](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63622-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 18052857, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052857
- Airframe hours: 1080
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Schulz
- Registered owner: James Schulz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1991, 30 hours before
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Airport: MM4, Mammoth-June Lakes, runway 9, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,201 total, 15 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910922042159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910922042159A), Sep 22, 1991: Cessna 180K, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing and ground looped. Nosed over off runway in soft sand.

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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