# Accident 20200111004039A: Cessna TR182, Billings, MT, January 11, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 11, 2020, 18:01 local time
- Place: Billings, MT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.2325° N, 108.3655° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2325&lon=-108.3655&mi=10
- Aircraft: N736YU, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736YU-2021-07-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna TR182 (registry code 2072735, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 13,800 total, 18 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA063) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200111004039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING NIGHT VFR CONDITIONS THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A 185' RADIO TOWER 25 MILES NE OF BILLINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BILLINGS MONTANA.

THE TOWER IS NOT DEPICTED ON THE BILLINGS VFR SECTIONAL AND IS UNLIT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 WPR20FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA063), Jan 12, 2020: Cessna TR182 (N736YU), Billings, MT, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance due to poor decision making in selecting an unsafe altitude during cruise flight.

## Other reports on N736YU (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19850501029609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850501029609I), May 1, 1985: Cessna TR182 (N736YU), Santa Ana, CA, Minor damage. Unable to extend right main for landing. Landed gear up. Cause of malfunction not reported.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
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.