# NTSB CHI91LA024: Cessna 180, N2987C, Northwood, ND, November 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1990, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Northwood, ND
- Coordinates: 47.730075, -97.560691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7301&lon=-97.5607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14953/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA024

## Probable cause

POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION, UNSUITABLE TERRAIN SELECTED BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A SOFT, FALLOW, FARM FIELD, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE ROLL-OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2987C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2987C), registered now, S/N 30887, built 1954 (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: 30887
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Belzer, Terry L.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: 9D7, CANDO, ND
- Airport: NONE, runway 18, 2,640 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 730 total, 465 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901104053079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901104053079A), Nov 4, 1990: Cessna 180, Northwood, ND, Substantial damage. Nosed over landing on a fallow farm field. Landing surface was softer than expected.

## Other investigations on N2987C (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 FTW83LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA331), Jul 12, 1983: Cessna 180 (N2987C), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage

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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