# NTSB DEN84FA155: Cessna 180H, N3481Y, Broadus, MT, May 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1984, 17:38 local (23:38 UTC)
- Place: Broadus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.390781, -105.500022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3908&lon=-105.5000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16214
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16214/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA155

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, descent - uncontrolled
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION A SEVERE WIND GUST FROM THE SOUTH OCCURRED AT AN ALT OF APRX 150 AGL. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT TO THE SOUTH AND A RAPID INCREASE IN ALT OF APRX 60-70 FT OCCURRED. THE WIND STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE ACFT MUSHED TO THE GROUND IN A SLIGHT NOSE AND LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE NOSING OVER. SEVERAL WITNESSES CONFIRMED THE ERRATIC WIND CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3481Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3481Y-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 18051981, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051981
- Airframe hours: 804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pyle Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: BROADUS, MT
- Destination: MLS, MILES CITY, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,519 total, 1,107 in this make and model, 1,449 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840525034779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840525034779A), May 25, 1984: Cessna 180H, Boradus, MT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Aircraft took off in an stol configeration and pilot claims a gust of wind caused stall and crash.

## Other investigations on N3481Y (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 SEA73FTA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73FTA01), Jul 9, 1972: Robertson 180H (N3481Y), Wyola, MT, 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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