# NTSB SEA03LA044: Cessna 180 A, Malin, OR, March 2, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 2003, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Malin, OR
- Coordinates: 42.011943, -121.339164
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0119&lon=-121.3392&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 13, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA044

## Probable cause

Aircraft control not maintained during landing.  Soft terrain was a factor.

## Analysis

In a written statement, the private pilot reported that shortly after touchdown (three point landing), on the private gravel runway, the airplane encountered a "soft spot" on the runway surface and veered to the right.  After veering to the right, the airplane departed the runway edge, encountered soft terrain and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On March 2, 2003, about 1100 Pacific standard time, an unregistered Cessna 180 A (formerly VH-ARW), sustained substantial damage subsequent to a nose over while landing at a private airstrip near Malin, Oregon.  The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The local flight originated from Tulelake, California approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement dated March 15, the pilot reported that shortly after touchdown (three point landing), on the private gravel runway, the airplane encountered a "soft spot" on the runway surface and veered to the right.  After veering to the right, the airplane departed the runway edge, encountered soft terrain and nosed over.

The airplane had recently been deregistered in Australia.  The pilot stated that he was in the process of obtaining a United States registration.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180 A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18050271
- Airframe hours: 1470
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Laurence G. Bagg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 2002, 27 hours before
- Departed: O81, Tulelake, CA
- Destination: Malin, OR
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 19, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 27 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KLMT, 18 nm away

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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