# NTSB FTW88DRA02: Cessna 180, N2517K, Beaumont, TX, January 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1988, 11:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Beaumont, TX
- Location: 30.0860° N, 94.1018° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Beaumont, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0860&lon=-94.1018&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat control,torque box - binding(mechanical) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT 500' AGL ON AN AERIAL PIPELINE PATROL FLT. AN OFF-ARPT EMERGENCY LNDG WAS MADE IN ROUGH TERRAIN AND THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE CARB HEAT GATE VALVE WOULD ONLY CLOSE 2/3RDS OF THE WAY WHEN THE CONTROL WAS PLACED IN THE CARB HEAT FULL ON POSITION. THE ACTUATOR ARM WAS BINDING AGAINST THE ENG COMPARTMENT INTERIOR BAFFLING. THE PLT AND PAX STATED THAT EARLIER ON THE SAME FLIGHT, PRIOR TO THE EMERGENCY LANDING, THEY HAD EXPERIENCED A PWR LOSS THAT WAS ALLEVIATED BY THE USE OF CARB HEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2517K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Dow Chemical Co.
- Registered owner: Jimmy C Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1987, 81 hours before
- Departed: LBX, ANGLETON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,940 total, 150 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880111001799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880111001799A), Jan 11, 1988: Cessna 180K, Beaumont, TX, Substantial damage. Loss of power. Forced landing in rough field. Fuel mismanagement and carb heat defect factors in the loss of power.

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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