# NTSB MKC85LA160: Cessna 180J, N180DH, Fort Dodge, IA, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Dodge, IA
- Coordinates: 42.499889, -94.170104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4999&lon=-94.1701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA160

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

N180DH WAS LANDING ON A 6,547 X 150 FT, DRY, ASPHALT, RUNWAY WITH A LT QUARTERING HEADWIND AT 15, WITH GUST TO 20 KTS. THE PLT SAID HE MADE A FULL FLAP, FULL STALL, 3PT, LANDING. THE ACFT WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RWY CENTERLINE BUT AFTER A SHORT ROLL THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LT. THE PLT APPLIED RT RUDDER BUT THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE LT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N180DH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180DH), registered now, S/N 18052615, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052165
- Airframe hours: 1827
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orty'S And Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1984, 173 hours before
- Departed: 1MN5, WACONIA, MN
- Airport: FOD, Fort Dodge Muni, runway 24, 6,547 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 613 total, 105 in this make and model, 417 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19850717031739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717031739A), Jul 17, 1985: Cessna 180J, Fort Dodge, IA, Substantial damage. After three point landing directional control was lost and aircraft ground looped. Gusty variable winds a factor.

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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