# NTSB CHI81LA106: Cessna 180, N4988E, Cotton, MN, August 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Closed
- Date: August 1, 1981, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Cotton, MN
- Coordinates: 47.159976, -92.469757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1600&lon=-92.4698&mi=10
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81LA106
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER AN ENCOUNTER WITH INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE IN THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT, CLOUDS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED VFR INTO IMC CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTURE FROM CONTROLLED FLIGHT OCCURRED AND ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN IN A REMOTE AREA. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 1, 1981. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED ON NOVEMBER 5, 1990.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4988E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4988E-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 30103, built 1953 (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: 30103
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Irvin W. Gries
- Departed: NONE, SAND LAKE, MN
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 207 total, 63 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: DLH, 23 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 19810801090249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810801090249A), Aug 1, 1981: Cessna 180, Cotton, MN, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Flew into area low ceiling and visibility. Wreckage found nine years later indicates loss of control into trees.

## Other investigations on N4988E (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 CHI81DAMS5](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DAMS5), Aug 1, 1981: Cessna 180 (N4988E), Missing Aircraft, destroyed, 4 fatal

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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