# NTSB LAX96LA271: Cessna 180, N4740B, Thermal, CA, July 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1996, 16:21 local (23:21 UTC) - Place: Thermal, CA - Coordinates: 33.479255, -116.100608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4793&lon=-116.1006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29508 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29508/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA271 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that while inbound to the airport he attempted to contact the CTAF for an airport advisory but could not raise anyone on the frequency. He then monitored the ATIS from a nearby airport and selected runway 35 on that basis. As he entered the traffic pattern he observed the windsock indicating an east wind about the speed he obtained from the ATIS and configured the aircraft for a crosswind landing. The pilot said the touchdown on the main wheels and the subsequent ground roll was uneventful until he lowered the tail. Just after lowering the tailwheel to the ground a gust of wind from the east pushed the tail to the left. The pilot said he was unable to regain directional control with either rudder or brake application and the aircraft ground looped to the right, collapsing the left main landing gear and bending the left wing. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1996, at 1621 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N4740B, collapsed the landing gear during a ground loop while landing on runway 35 at Thermal, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers onboard were not injured. The flight originated at LaVerne, California, on the day of the accident at 1500 as a flight to Thermal. The pilot reported that while inbound to the airport he attempted to contact the CTAF for an airport advisory but could not raise anyone on the frequency. He then monitored the ATIS from a nearby airport and selected runway 35 on that basis. As he entered the traffic pattern he observed the windsock indicating an east wind about the speed he obtained from the ATIS and configured the aircraft for a crosswind landing. The pilot said the touchdown on the main wheels and the subsequent ground roll was uneventful until he lowered the tail. Just after lowering the tailwheel to the ground a gust of wind from the east pushed the tail to the left. The pilot said he was unable to regain directional control with either rudder or brake application and the aircraft ground looped to the right, collapsing the left main landing gear and bending the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4740B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4740B), registered now, S/N 31638, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31638 - Airframe hours: 2977 - Engines: Continental O-470J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry A. Walburn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1996, 39 hours before - Departed: POC, LAVERNE, CA - Destination: TRM - Airport: TRM, Thermal, runway 35, 6,799 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,747 total, 39 in this make and model, 2,551 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TRM ## 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 19960713017029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960713017029A), Jul 13, 1996: Cessna 180, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Weathervaned due crosswind gust as tail came down. Ground looped. Collapsed left main gear and bent wing tip. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.