# NTSB CHI87FA162: Cessna 180, N5027E, New Brighton, MN, July 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: New Brighton, MN
- Coordinates: 45.07941, -93.189132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0794&lon=-93.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,lifevest - not installed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE FLOATPLANE START A CLIMBING LEFT TURN SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE FROM A WATER TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE AIRCRAFT DOVE INTO THE WATER WHERE IT STRUCK THE SURFACE RIGHT WING FIRST, FLIPPED INVERTED AND SANK. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST SUBMERGED AND SUSPENDED UPSIDE DOWN FROM THE FLOATS WHICH REMAINED ON THE SURFACE.  ALL FIVE OCCUPANTS DIED BY DROWNING IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5027E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5027E), registered now, S/N 50327, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50327
- Airframe hours: 2813
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herman Berhens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1987, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,809 total, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 12 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 19870712034119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712034119A), Jul 12, 1987: Cessna STC180, New Brighton, MN, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Allowed a wing to dip and hit the water on a crosswind takeoff. Aircraft cartwheeled rolled over.

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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