# NTSB MKC85LA174: Cessna 180, N3161C, Ames, IA, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1985, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Ames, IA
- Coordinates: 42.019805, -93.619834 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0198&lon=-93.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA174

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, other

## Analysis

THE DESIRED RWY (19) WAS CLOSED AT THE DESTINATION, SO THE PLT LANDED ON RWY 13 WITH A 15 KT X-WIND. THE X-WIND WAS WITHIN THE CAPABILITY OF THE ACFT & THE PLT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PLT USED FULL RUDDER & BRAKE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HOWEVER, HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST & SUBSEQUENTLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. AFTER DEPARTING THE RWY, THE LEFT WING & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CONTACTED THE GROUND & WERE DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE TAILWHEEL LATCH SPRING, SCOTT PN 3222, HAD FAILED. WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE TAILWHEEL WOULD STEER THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT, BUT THERE WAS NO STEERING CAPABILITY TO THE LEFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3161C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3161C), registered now, S/N 30960, built 1954 (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: 30960
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard A. George
- Registered owner: James L. Finzer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LL10, NAPERVILLE, IL
- Airport: AMW, Ames Muni, runway 13, 3,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,256 total, 104 in this make and model, 4,333 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850729034649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850729034649A), Jul 29, 1985: Cessna 180, Ames, IA, Substantial damage. Desired runway closed. Lost directional control and ground looped aircraft on crosswind runway.

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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