# NTSB LAX99LA114: Cessna 180F, N345RC, Inyokern, CA, March 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 7, 1999, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Inyokern, CA - Coordinates: 35.880859, -118.150054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8809&lon=-118.1501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45877/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA114 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable and gusting winds during a wheel landing, which led to a loss of directional control. ## 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 - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker - object - fence - object - fence post - object - other ## Analysis Winds were variable at 5 knots, gusting to 10, with the wind tee and windsocks indicating runway 33. The pilot executed a wheel landing but began losing directional control to the right just after touchdown. He countered with left rudder, but the aircraft began to ground loop. The aircraft swerved left and scraped the right wingtip. He then attempted a go-around, but his right wingtip struck a sign and the aircraft veered right and struck a fence. ## Factual narrative On March 7, 1999, at 1500 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 180F, N345RC, ground looped while landing at Inyokern, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by the owner/pilot under 14 CFR Part 91 of Federal Aviation Regulations when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Furnace Creek airport in Death Valley, California, about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that as he approached the airport he noticed two gliders in the traffic pattern. He called for a wind estimate and was told to expect winds variable at 5 knots, gusting to 10. As he flew nearer to the airport, he noticed that the wind tee and two windsocks were indicating runway 33. During the approach, he applied 20 degrees flaps and reduced his airspeed over the approach end of the runway to 80 mph. He executed a wheel landing but began losing directional control just after touchdown. According to the pilot, he thought he had applied too much right rudder. He countered with left rudder but the aircraft began to ground loop. The aircraft swerved left and the right wingtip scraped the runway. He applied power in an attempted go-around but his right wingtip struck an airport sign. After impact, the aircraft veered right, struck a fence, a fence post and guardrail before coming to rest. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reviewed pilot and aircraft records. No deficiencies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N345RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N345RC-2002-03-18), registration cancelled 2002-03-18, S/N 18051231, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180F - Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051231 - Airframe hours: 4882 - Engines: Continental O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clare Franklin Kline, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 88 hours before - Departed: L06, DEATH VALLEY, CA - Destination: IYK - Airport: IYK, Inyokern, runway 33, 7,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,154 total, 56 in this make and model, 1,093 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NID, 8 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 19990307002049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990307002049A), Mar 7, 1999: Cessna 180F, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. Acft groung looped on landing, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on March 7, 1999, at 1500 hours pacific standard time, a Cessna 180F, N345RC, ground… 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.