# NTSB DEN86FA009: Cessna 180, N1611C, Eagle, CO, October 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1985, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Eagle, CO
- Coordinates: 39.650554, -106.81977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6506&lon=-106.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA009

## 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 - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED EAGLE ARPT WITH 3 PAX TO FLY THEM TO THE WHITE OWL LAKE AREA FOR THE REPORTED PURPOSE OF LOOKING FOR A POSSIBLE CAMPING SITE FOR HUNTING ACTIVITIES. THE PLT ENCOUNTERED IMC AND LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. HUNTERS REPORTED LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITY WITH SNOW SQUALLS IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ENG SOUND STOP BUT WERE UNAABLE TO SEE THE ACFT BECAUSE VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED BY SNOW. THE ACFT CRASHED ON AN 11,000 FT PLATEAU. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A 45 DEGREE NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1611C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1611C-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 30311, built 1953 (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: 30311
- Airframe hours: 2857
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Edmund Reynolds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1984, 93 hours before
- Departed: EAE, EAGLE, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 623 total, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast

## 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 19851011051159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851011051159A), Oct 11, 1985: Cessna 180, Eagle, CO, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Wreckage indicates VFR pilot lost control hit ground 45 degree angle. Blowing snow,low clouds in area. Hunting trip

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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