# NTSB LAX94LA248: Cessna 180H, N4764U, Wickenburg, AZ, June 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1994, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Wickenburg, AZ
- Location: 33.9706° N, 112.7951° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WICKENBURG MUNI (E25), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9706&lon=-112.7951&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA248

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to remove the control lock prior to flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - flight control,gust lock - engaged (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH THE CONTROL LOCK STILL ENGAGED IN THE CONTROL COLUMN.  PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY THE LOCAL SHERIFF SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT DEPICTED THE CONTROL LOCK STILL INSTALLED.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 1994, at 1000 hours mountain daylight time, the pilot of a Cessna 180H, N4764U, lost control and collided with terrain during takeoff from runway 05, at the Wickenburg Municipal Airport, Wickenburg, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The certificated commercial pilot received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed with the winds from 240 degrees at 8 knots.

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP), reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that the airplane's control lock was found engaged in the control column after the accident.  Additionally, photographs provided by the local sheriff's office indicated that the control lock was attached to the control column.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4764U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4764U), registered now, S/N 18051464, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051464
- Airframe hours: 2613
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: O'Leary, Dorman S.
- Registered owner: Dorman S. O'Leary
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1994, 13 hours before
- Airport: E25, Wickenburg, runway 5, 5,050 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUF

## 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 19940611015059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940611015059A), Jun 11, 1994: Cessna 180H, Wickenburg, AZ, Substantial damage. Took off downwind with control lock in place. Lost control.

## Other investigations on N4764U (2)

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 ERA12CA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA029), Oct 15, 2011: Cessna 180H (N4764U), Houston, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB LAX66F0282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0282), Feb 17, 1966: Cessna 180 (N4764U), Gabbs, NV, substantial damage

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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