# NTSB MKC89LA115: Cessna 180, N45JB, Duluth, MN, May 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1989, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, MN
- Coordinates: 47.049659, -92.070495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0497&lon=-92.0705&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 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA115

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN TURBULENT GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THE PLT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY, QUARTERING, CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT NOSED OVER. THE WINDS, 20 NM NW WERE REPORTED OUT OF 300 DEGREES AT 13 KTS GUSTING TO 22. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WINDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE TO BE FROM 340 DEGREES AT 15 KTS GUSTING TO 30 WITH MODERATE TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45JB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052058
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: North County Aircraft Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: DLH, DULUTH, MN
- Airport: D36, Duluth, runway 32, 3,051 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,625 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 20 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 19890526014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890526014179A), May 26, 1989: Cessna 180H, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. Nosed over landing in a gusty surface wind. Blamed wind shear.

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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