# NTSB LAX97LA136: Cessna 180C, N9065N, Camarillo, CA, March 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1997, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.229419, -119.069793 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2294&lon=-119.0698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29754/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot said he lost control of the airplane during a left crosswind landing. The wind lifted the airplane's left wing until the right wing tip dragged on the ground. The airplane then nosed over, damaging the vertical stabilizer, fuselage, and wings. The pilot estimated the wind velocity at 20 to 25 knots. The air traffic control tower recorded wind velocities at 12 knots. The pilot indicated on his report that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1997, at 1345 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 180C, N9065N, nosed over following a ground loop during landing on runway 26 at the Camarillo, California, airport. The airplane was operated as a personal flight by the pilot/owner. The airplane was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The local flight originated from Camarillo at 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported he encountered a crosswind during the landing touchdown and lost control. The wind lifted the airplane's left wing until the right wing tip dragged on the ground. The airplane then nosed over damaging the vertical stabilizer, fuselage, and wings. The pilot estimated the crosswind velocity to be 20 to 25 knots at the time of the landing. The wind conditions reported by the air traffic control tower were from 200 degrees at 12 knots. Fire and rescue personnel dispatched to the runway reported crosswinds from 200 degrees at 15 to 20 knots. The pilot indicated on his report that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N9065N (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180C - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50717 - Airframe hours: 3130 - Engines: Continental O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tschannel, Frank - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1997, 11 hours before - Departed: CMA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo Airport, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,650 total, 50 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 19970330006399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970330006399A), Mar 30, 1997: Cessna 180C, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed. Lost control landing in crosswind. Wind caused wing to drag on runway. Nosed over. Crosswind component exceeded. (.19) on March 30, 1997, at 1345 hours pacific… 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.