# NTSB SEA91LA094: Cessna 180, N40LT, Vernal, UT, April 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1991, 21:15 local (Apr 26, 1991, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Vernal, UT
- Coordinates: 40.549476, -109.569419 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5495&lon=-109.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND HIS FAILUE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING.

## 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
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT GROUND-LOOPED WHEN LANDING AT VERNAL, UT. ONE HOUR AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE WAS SUBJECTED TO A TEST FOR INTOXICATION. HE LATER ADMITTED CONSUMING VODKA PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40LT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40LT), registered now, S/N 30527, built 1953 (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: 30527
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470J-11 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Grant R. Wilson
- Registered owner: Grant R. Wilson
- Departed: COLORADO CITY, UT
- Airport: VEL, Vernal, runway 34, 6,601 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,531 total, 606 in this make and model, 1,441 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910425015969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910425015969A), Apr 25, 1991: Cessna 180, Vernal, UT, Substantial damage. Intoxicated pilot ground looped on landing.

## Other investigations on N40LT (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA06LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA076), Apr 14, 2006: Cessna 180 (N40LT), Klamath Falls, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped aircraft during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds.

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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