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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 9, 1997 · Cessna 180 · N3343D

Hollister, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 9, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hollister, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N3343D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX97LA203

The aircraft was destroyed by fire following a ground loop during a touch-and-go landing. The pilot stated that he did not place the elevator in the full up position after landing, which he felt reduced directional response to both the aerodynamic rudder and the steerable tail wheel. When the aircraft began to veer to the left, he added full power in an attempt to go around, which torqued the aircraft into a fully developed ground loop. During the ground loop, the right wingtip contacted the ground which caused the wing fuel tank to start leaking. The fuel was subsequently ignited and the fire consumed the aircraft.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper use of the elevator and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's application of full power following the loss of directional control, which increased the turning moment already generated by the initial swerve.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 1997, at 1835 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N3343D, ground looped while the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings at Frazier Lake Airpark, Hollister, California. The aircraft came to rest at the edge of the runway and was destroyed by fire. The private pilot, the sole occupant, evacuated the aircraft with no injuries and there was no property damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot stated in his report that he did not bring the wheel back to place the elevator in the full up position after landing, which he felt reduced directional response to both the aerodynamic rudder and the steerable tail wheel. Then, when the aircraft began to veer to the left, he attempted to go around, but the application of power caused the aircraft to veer harder to the left into a fully developed ground loop. The right wingtip contacted the ground which caused the wing fuel tank to start leaking. The fuel was subsequently ignited and consumed the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 PDT
Nearest AirportFrazier Lake Airpark (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN3343D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470J · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 15 kt, gusting 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data