# NTSB DEN83LA102: Cessna 180, N9171T, Ft. Smith, MT, April 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1983, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Smith, MT
- Coordinates: 45.699028, -107.689262 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6990&lon=-107.6893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF FROM FT SMITH, THE PLT LEVELED AT 500 FT AGL & FOLLOWED A RIVER TO LOOK AT SOME PROPERTY APRX 5 MI AWAY. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER & RUN IRREGULARILY. HE PERFORMED A SUCCESSFUL PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD WHERE HE MADE A THOROUGH ENGINE RUN-UP & ALL SYSTEMS CHECKED NORMAL. THINKING THAT THE ENGINE MAY HAVE PASSED SOME WATER, HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF & FLY TO HARDIN, MT. APRX 2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN SPUTTERING & RUNNING IRREGULAR AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE PILOT COULD GET NO IMPROVEMENT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTORE THE POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD BEYOND SOME POWER LINES. WHILE APPLYING HEAVY BRAKES TO STOP BEFORE REACHING A DITCH, THE PLANE NOSED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENGINE WAS MADE, BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9171T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9171T), registered now, S/N 50671, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50671
- Airframe hours: 3505
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffrey Stuart Overton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1982, 28 hours before
- Destination: MT02, HARDIN, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 517 total, 20 in this make and model, 409 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830424018749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830424018749A), Apr 24, 1983: Cessna 180C, Ft Smith, MT, Substantial damage. Engine quit the second time on same flight. Unlike first landing, nosed over. Ridges in rubber tanks a suspect.

## Other investigations on N9171T (3)

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 MKC76DER48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DER48), Jan 28, 1976: Cessna 180C (N9171T), Intl Falls, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC68D0205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0205), Jul 30, 1967: Cessna 180 (N9171T), Princeton, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X2670](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2670), Jul 5, 1964: Cessna 180 (N9171T), Crystal, MN, destroyed

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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