# NTSB CHI91LA189: Cessna 180, N1721C, Wausa, NE, June 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1991, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Wausa, NE
- Coordinates: 42.489387, -97.530006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4894&lon=-97.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA189

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO TURN AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING IFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE RESTRICTED FORWARD VISIBILITY AND POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain
  - vfr flight into imc - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE ENCOUNTERED IFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS WHILE ON A PERSONAL VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON WHAT HE BELIEVED TO BE AN AIRSTRIP. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES, THEN THE TERRAIN. THIS RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL AIRFRAME DAMAGE AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER. WHAT THE PILOT BELIEVED TO BE AN AIRSTRIP WAS A BYPASS BETWEEN TWO RURAL ROADS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1721C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1721C), registered now, S/N 30421 (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: 30421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Delmar/Clara Lemons
- Departed: K61, BELOIT, KS
- Destination: YKN, YANKTON, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,898 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: OFK, 30 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 19910613021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910613021709A), Jun 13, 1991: Cessna 180, Wausa, NE, Substantial damage. Elected to land due to deteriorating weather. In heavy rain mistook road for runway. Hit wires and crashed.

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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