# NTSB LAX93LA072: Cessna 180K, N61798, Fullerton, CA, December 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1992, 19:22 local (Dec 23, 1992, 03:22 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8720° N, 117.9798° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8720&lon=-117.9798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27889/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA072

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE'S OWNERS (INCLUDING THE PILOT) POOR MAINTENANCE AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DETERIORATED OVERWING FUEL CAPS SEALS AND THE TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,cap - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - poor, company/operator management (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DRAINED OUT MULTIPLE FUEL TESTER TUBES OF WATER BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.  SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND LANDED DOWNWIND, BEYOND MIDFIELD.  THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED CONSIDERABLE WATER REMAINED IN THE FUEL TANKS AND THE OVERWING FUEL CAP SEALS WERE DETERIORATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61798](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61798), registered now, S/N 18053009, built 1978 (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: 18053009
- Airframe hours: 3698
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Woodruff, Harold S. Et Al
- Registered owner: Woodruff, Harold S. Et Al
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1992, 45 hours before
- Destination: L35, BIG BEAR, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,470 total, 205 in this make and model, 1,372 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL, 1 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 19921222051109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921222051109A), Dec 22, 1992: Cessna 180K, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Came back. Landed long. Overran into fence. Water in fuel from leaky fuel caps.

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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