# NTSB WPR25LA018: Cessna 180, N7847C, Venator, OR, October 6, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 5, 2024, 18:00 local (Oct 6, 2024, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Venator, OR - Coordinates: 43.380225, -118.28509 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3802&lon=-118.2851&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 195327 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195327/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195327 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA018 ## Probable cause The inadvertent application of brakes during landing that resulted in a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while conducting a wheel landing on a dry lakebed, the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot stated he was unsure why the airplane swerved, adding that it could have been the result of the passenger unintentionally bracing their foot against the right rudder pedal. The pilot also stated the swerve could have been the result of the right wheel brake locking; however, after he had egressed the airplane, he was able to spin the right wheel by hand without any binding noted. Additionally, during the airplane’s recovery and transportation, the airplane was able to be rolled on its main wheels with no instances of either main wheel brake locking or seizing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7847C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7847C), registered now, S/N 31046, built 1954 (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: 31046 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 6695.8 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2024 - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 29, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,793.3 total, 1,033.3 in this make and model, 1,711.4 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 17.7 in the last 30 days, 1.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KBNO, 32 nm away - METAR: METAR KBNO 052253Z AUTO 10SM CLR 23/M01 A3025 RMK AO2 RAE2156 SLP230 P0000 T02331006= ## 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 20241005014759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241005014759A), Oct 5, 2024: Cessna 180, Venator, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot reports that he was familiar with this unimproved desert landing/camping area and had landed there before. On the accident flight in calm winds he had… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195327. 7.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17858264&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18451619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MoR-%20Patrick%20Ayres-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, salvage company (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18452449&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MoR-%20Johnny%20Gomez-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18452040&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.