# NTSB ATL89LA075: Cessna 180, N4585B, Russells Point, OH, January 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1989, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Russells Point, OH
- Coordinates: 40.460178, -83.890853 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4602&lon=-83.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITION, AND HIS FAILURE TO USE AVAILABLE WEATHER BRIEFING RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRUCTURAL ICING WHICH COVERED THE WINDSCREEN, BLOCKING FORWARD VISIBILITY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A FREEZING MIST DURING CRUISE. HE ELECTED TO DIVERT TO HIS HOME AIRSTRIP. DURING APPROACH, THE WINDSHIELD ICED OVER. JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN, ALL FWD VISIBILITY WAS LOST. THE PLT ELECTED TO STAY TOWARD THE RT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP DURING ROLLOUT, TO AVOID TREES ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY RAN OFF THE RT SIDE INTO A MUDDY FIELD AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT THAT HE HAD OBTAINED ANY WX BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO THE FLT. NO RECORD OF HIS HAVING OBTAINED ANY WX BRIEFINGS WAS FOUND. A WX REPORTING STATION LOCATED ABOUT 37 MILES AWAY REPORTED LIGHT FREEZING RAIN & FOG ABOUT 25 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4585B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4585B), registered now, S/N 31484, built 1955 (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: 31484
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Geiger, Richard G.
- Registered owner: Geiger, Richard G
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1988
- Departed: URBANA, OH
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 37 nm away

## 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 19890114000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890114000549A), Jan 14, 1989: Cessna 180, Russells Point, OH, Substantial damage. Encountered freezing mist,returned. Ice on windshield. Landed on edge of strip and nosed over in mud. No wx briefing

## Other investigations on N4585B (2)

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 CHI77DEG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77DEG05), Nov 13, 1976: Cessna 180 (N4585B), Lebanon, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI76FEG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEG01), Jul 4, 1975: Cessna 180 (N4585B), Morrow, OH, substantial damage

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.

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