# NTSB DEN85LTE06: Cessna 180, N5163E, Mule Creek Jct, WY, August 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1985, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Mule Creek Jct, WY
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LTE06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LTE06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS SPOTTING CATTLE DURING A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION. HE SAW 2 COWS WITH CALVES IN A COVE OF A CANYON THAT PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND WERE LEAVING BEHIND. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE A SHARP TURN & FLEW OVER THE COWS TO SHOW THEIR LOCATION TO RIDERS ON THE GROUND. HE THEN ENTERED A CLIMB & STARTED A TURN TO LEAVE WHEN THE ACFT 'JUST DROPPED.'  THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE WAS RECOVERING, 'THE AIRPLANE FLATTENED OUT JUST OFF THE GROUND.'  THE LEFT WING THEN DROPPED & CONTACTED THE GROUND & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED INTO A CANYON & CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN. THE PLT ESCAPED INJURY, BUT A DOG THAT WAS ABOARD WAS KILLED. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 4500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5163E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5163E-1988-06-07), registration cancelled 1988-06-07, S/N 50463 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50463
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbur E. Stoddard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1984, 2,500 hours before
- Departed: STODDARD RANCH, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,160 total, 2,110 in this make and model, 2,060 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 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 19850808037119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850808037119A), Aug 8, 1985: Cessna 180B, Mule Creek Junc, WY, Destroyed. Wingtip struck ground while making low tight turn during cattle herding operation. Encountered his own vortices.

## Other investigations on N5163E (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 DEN76FTC04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FTC04), Jun 19, 1975: Cessna 180 (N5163E), Sun Ranch, WY, 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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