Cessna 180 accident near Bakersfield, California, December 7, 1991
On December 7, 1991, a Cessna 180, registered N2549K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bakersfield, California (Bakersfield Airpark). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL DUE TO INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 1991
- Place
- Bakersfield, California · Bakersfield Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N2549K · no longer on the register · serial 18052982
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID HE TOUCHED DOWN IN A WHEEL LANDING ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY. HE STATED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRCRAFT AND CAUSED IT TO BEGIN TRACKING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER TO CORRECT THE DRIFT AND GET THE AIRCRAFT BACK ON THE RUNWAY CENTER LINE. THE PILOT SAID THE TAIL WHEEL'CAUGHT AND WITH THE HELP OF GUSTING CROSS WINDS, THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED ONTO THE RIGHT WING AND AILERON.'
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 172 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 95 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,423 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 1991; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 3,150 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 2 knots, gusting 6
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.