# NTSB CEN25LA100: Cessna 180, N597JC, Breckenridge, TX, February 17, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 17, 2025, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Breckenridge, TX - Coordinates: 32.74, -98.891 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7400&lon=-98.8910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199714/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199714 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA100 ## Probable cause The mechanic’s failure to properly install the throttle cable hardware resulting in a separation of the cable and loss of engine throttle control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Maintenance personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Following an avionics equipment installation, the pilot flew a local flight with a technician to check the newly installed avionics. The departure and maneuvering for a practice approach were uneventful. At glideslope intercept, the pilot brought the throttle to idle for the airplane to decelerate. After a few moments, the pilot noticed the airplane wasn’t decelerating and adjusted the propeller to help create drag to slow the airplane. About 800 ft above ground level, the pilot added throttle for a practice missed approach while the engine was running smoothly, but the engine did not respond. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and made a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with small mesquite trees and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the throttle cable to the carburetor was found disconnected, and the castellated nut and cotter pin were not located. The recent avionics installation required the temporary removal of the engine throttle cable. Based on available evidence, it is likely that the mechanic did not properly reinstall the cotter pin resulting in the separation of the cable and a loss of engine throttle cable control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N597JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N597JC-2025-05-08), registration cancelled 2025-05-08, S/N 18053054, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053054 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 8815 - Engines: Continental O-470-50 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2024, 20 hours before - Airport: BKD - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 14,943 total, 1,510 in this make and model, 8,750 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KBKD, 1 nm away - METAR: KBKD 172035Z AUTO 20014G19KT 7SM CLR 16/00 A2998 RMK AO2 T01620000 ## 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 20250217000729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250217000729A), Feb 17, 2025: Cessna 180K, Breckenridge, TX, Destroyed. The pilot was testing the newly installed navigation equipment and autopilot by conducting a coupled GPS approach to runway 17 at bkd. At approximately 3/4… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199714. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18361677&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen25la100%20ntsb%20form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18360830&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA100%20PICS%202-Rel.pdf 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. --- 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.