# NTSB BFO93FA034: Cessna 180F, N4607U, Brewer, ME, February 27, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1993, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Brewer, ME
- Location: 44.7501° N, 68.7612° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BREWER (0B2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7501&lon=-68.7612&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93FA034

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE.  A PREHEATER WAS NEEDED DUE TO THE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES.  THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE PILOT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT FOR 'ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MINUTES.'  THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO DIFFICULTIES IN TAXIING THE AIRPLANE THROUGH ICE AND SNOW BANKS TO GET TO THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN AND LAND ON A GOLF COURSE.  THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK AND 'STALLED.'   IT IMPACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS, BUT SEVERAL SPARKPLUGS EXHIBITED SOOTING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4607U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4607U), registered now, S/N 30251 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180F
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051307
- Airframe hours: 3924
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Proulx, Leonel V. II
- Registered owner: Proulx, Leonel V, II
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1992, 59 hours before
- Departed: 0B2
- Destination: ALLAGASH LAKE, ME
- Airport: 0B2, Brewer, runway 19, 1,800 × 100 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 23 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 10 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 19930227003859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930227003859A), Feb 27, 1993: Cessna 180F, Brewer, ME, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power on climbout. Tried to turn back. Stalled. Used partial carb heat that in cold air could cause icing.

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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