# NTSB NYC89LA149: Cessna 180, N3420Y, Pittsburgh, PA, June 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1989, 20:30 local (Jun 14, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Pittsburgh, PA
- Coordinates: 40.36013, -79.899055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3601&lon=-79.8991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA149

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLLOUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A ILS APPROACH AND LANDED AT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT. HE TRIED TO TURN OFF THE RUNWAY AT THE FIRST TAXIWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT APPLIED EXCESSIVE BRAKING WITH THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT STILL IN THE AIR AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3420Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051920
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Nellie Caldwell
- Registered owner: Nellie A Caldwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AGC, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny Co., runway 28, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,890 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890613015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890613015479A), Jun 13, 1989: Cessna 180H, Pittsburgh, PA, Substantial damage. Instructor unable to stop student from using too much brake when turning off runway, tail up; aircraft nosed over.

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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