# NTSB CHI95LA090: Cessna 180J, N52172, Cotton, MN, February 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1995, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Cotton, MN
- Coordinates: 47.159549, -92.470947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1595&lon=-92.4709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA090

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to gain sufficient clearance over the trees during the aborted landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON A FROZEN LAKE AND FELT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE IN THE DISTANCE AVAILABLE.  HE ABORTED THE LANDING AND WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE LAKE.  THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE TREE TOPS AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On February 18, 1995, at 1500 central standard time, a Cessna 180J, N52172, registered to Flossie Telin and piloted by a private pilot collided with trees during an aborted landing on Upper Bug Lake, Cotton, Minnesota, while on a personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  The flight originated from Duluth, Minnesota, on February 18, 1995, at 1430.

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on a snow covered/frozen lake and felt he would not be able to stop in the available distance.  He stated he executed an aborted landing and failed to clear tree tops along the edge of the lake.  The airplane contacted the trees and settled through the trees to impact the terrain.

The pilot reported to an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he avoided the river channel portion of the river which left him with approximately 1,000 feet of lake on which to land.  The FAA Inspector stated that the landing area available did not appear to be 1,000 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52172](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52172), registered now, S/N 18052535, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052535
- Airframe hours: 4077
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flossie Telin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1994, 7 hours before
- Departed: D36, DULUTH, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,136 total, 260 in this make and model, 1,068 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °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 19950218002269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950218002269A), Feb 18, 1995: Cessna 180J, Cotton, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 18, 1995, at 1500 hours local, a Cessna 180, N52172, operated by Mr. John telin crashed near cotten, MN. This flight was conducted in visual…

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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