# NTSB DEN88LA181: Cessna 180, N1509C, Cascade, MT, August 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1988, 18:00 local (Aug 8, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Cascade, MT
- Coordinates: 47.159194, -111.629112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1592&lon=-111.6291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS LANDING AT AN UNATTENDED AIRSTRIP WITH A 1000' DIRT RWY. THERE WAS A NORTHERLY WIND, BUT DUE TO THE SLOPING RWY TERRAIN, HE ELECTED TO USE RWY 19 & LAND UPHILL WITH A TAILWIND. THE PLT RPRTED THAT AS HE WAS ABOUT TO FLARE, THE ACFT PITCHED DOWN & HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE & ADDED POWER. HOWEVER, THE ACFT IMPACTED ON UPWARD SLOPING RWY & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE ACFT THEN SLID ABOUT 100' BEFORE COMING TO REST. AFTER EXITING THE ACFT, THE PLT NOTED STRONG GUSTS OF WIND FROM THE NORTH. HE ESTD THE WIND WAS FROM 010 AT 5 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1509C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1509C-1990-07-13), registration cancelled 1990-07-13, S/N 30209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30209
- Airframe hours: 2969
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Borges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1988, 58 hours before
- Departed: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID
- Airport: runway 19, 1,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 408 total, 193 in this make and model, 74 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: GTF

## 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 19880807036439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880807036439A), Aug 7, 1988: Cessna 180, Cascade, MT, Substantial damage. Flew into impact with a uphill short strip. Failed to flare for upgrade and had a 15 knot tailwind.

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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