# NTSB LAX97LA203: Cessna 180, N3343D, Hollister, CA, June 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 1997, 18:35 local (Jun 9, 1997, 01:35 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.890747, -121.240112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8907&lon=-121.2401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29806 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29806/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA203 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the elevator and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's application of full power following the loss of directional control, which increased the turning moment already generated by the initial swerve. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The aircraft was destroyed by fire following a ground loop during a touch-and-go landing. The pilot stated that he did not place the elevator in the full up position after landing, which he felt reduced directional response to both the aerodynamic rudder and the steerable tail wheel. When the aircraft began to veer to the left, he added full power in an attempt to go around, which torqued the aircraft into a fully developed ground loop. During the ground loop, the right wingtip contacted the ground which caused the wing fuel tank to start leaking. The fuel was subsequently ignited and the fire consumed the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 1997, at 1835 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3343D, ground looped while the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings at Frazier Lake Airpark, Hollister, California. The aircraft came to rest at the edge of the runway and was destroyed by fire. The private pilot, the sole occupant, evacuated the aircraft with no injuries and there was no property damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot stated in his report that he did not bring the wheel back to place the elevator in the full up position after landing, which he felt reduced directional response to both the aerodynamic rudder and the steerable tail wheel. Then, when the aircraft began to veer to the left, he attempted to go around, but the application of power caused the aircraft to veer harder to the left into a fully developed ground loop. The right wingtip contacted the ground which caused the wing fuel tank to start leaking. The fuel was subsequently ignited and consumed the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3343D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3343D-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 32141, built 1956 (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: 32141 - Airframe hours: 4104 - Engines: Continental O-470J 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William H. Scott - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1997, 1 hours before - Airport: 1C9, Frazier Lake Airpark, runway 23, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 273 total, 39 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 3 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SNS, 21 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 19970608013559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970608013559A), Jun 8, 1997: Cessna 180, Hollister, CA, Destroyed. Aircrft wing struck the runway during landing, crashed and burned. (.4)the aircraft was destroyed by fire following a ground loop during a touch-and-go… ## Other investigations on N3343D (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 SEA91LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA185), Jul 20, 1991: Cessna 180 (N3343D), Cody, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. FACTORS WERE DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND GUSTY CROSSWINDS. - [NTSB LAX82DA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA065), Feb 6, 1982: Cessna 180 (N3343D), San Jose, CA, 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. --- 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.