# NTSB CHI08CA155: Cessna 180, N4701U, Eveleth, MN, June 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2008, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Eveleth, MN - Coordinates: 47.459693, -92.540473 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4597&lon=-92.5405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA155 ## Probable cause The pilot elected to land on a grass airstrip that was unsuitable for landing due to the wet, soft runway conditions. The wet, soft runway were factors. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072616), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had contacted the fixed base operator the day prior to the accident to check on the condition of the grass airstrip, and was told that airplanes had departed and landed on the grass airstrip during the day. The pilot called the fixed base operator on the morning of the accident but no one answered the phone. The pilot was unaware that it had rained at the airstrip during the night. He over flew the grass airstrip prior to landing and did not observe any standing water or signs of ground softness, so he landed on the grass strip. During landing roll, the main landing gear sank into a wet, soft area of the airstrip, and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had contacted the fixed base operator the day prior to the accident to check on the condition of the grass airstrip, and was told that airplanes had departed and landed on the grass airstrip during the day. The pilot called the fixed base operator on the morning of the accident but no one answered the phone. The pilot was unaware that it had rained at the airstrip during the night. He over flew the grass airstrip prior to landing and did not observe any standing water or signs of ground softness, so he landed on the grass strip. During landing roll, the main landing gear sank into a wet, soft area of the airstrip, and the airplane nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4701U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4701U), registered now, S/N 18051401, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180g) (registry code 2072616) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051401 - Engines: Continental O-520 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerorme Eckrich - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: ABR, Aberdeen, SD - Destination: Eveleth, MN - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 9Y5, Sky Harbor Seaplane Base, runway 180, 1,900 × 150 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 5,885 total, 683 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080607840689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080607840689A), Jun 7, 2008: Cessna 180G, Eveleth, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot landed on the grass strip and upon rolling out, encountered a soft area allowing the main landing gear to sink into the ground, bringing the… 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.