# NTSB WPR14CA200: Cessna 180, N2443C, Cameron Park, CA, May 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2014, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Cameron Park, CA - Coordinates: 38.683334, -120.983329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6833&lon=-120.9833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89252/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89252 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA200 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing which resulted in a ground-loop and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo pilot was doing stop and go landings and takeoffs in the tailwheel-equipped airplane to become current. During the fourth landing, the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane ground-looped. During the ground-loop, the pilot applied excessive brake, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo pilot was doing stop and go landings and takeoffs in the tailwheel-equipped airplane to become current. During the fourth landing, the pilot lost directional control, and the airplane ground-looped. During the ground-loop, the pilot applied excessive brake, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2443C (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (UNDESIGNAT) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30743 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 4712 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Petersen Robert C - Registered owner: Petersen Robert C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2013 - Departed: O61, Cameron Park, CA - Destination: O61, Cameron Park, CA - Airport: O61, Cameron Airpark, runway 31, 4,051 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 4, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,690 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,690 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots, gusting 5 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 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 20140521007259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140521007259A), May 21, 2014: Cessna 180, Cameron Park, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped on landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89252. 253 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.