# NTSB SEA84LA214: Cessna 180A, N601N, Scappoose, OR, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1984, 17:30 local (Sep 1, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Scappoose, OR
- Coordinates: 45.800403, -122.970657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8004&lon=-122.9707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, JUST PRIOR TO ROTATION, HE 'TOOK A SHARP GUST OF WIND FROM THE LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED THE AIRCRAFT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N601N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N601N), registered now, S/N 32987, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32987
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1984
- Departed: 1S4, SCAPPOOSE, OR
- Destination: 1S4, SCAPPOSOSE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 590 total, 82 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 15 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 19840831045559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840831045559A), Aug 31, 1984: Cessna 180A, Scappoose, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot claims gust of wind caught aircraft at liftoff causing ground loop.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.