# NTSB MKC88FA023: Cessna 180, N46TD, Springfield, NE, December 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1987, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, NE
- Coordinates: 41.080204, -96.130935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0802&lon=-96.1309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA023

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - guy wire
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES ON THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW, UNDER THE OVERCAST, WHEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GUY WIRES OF A TV TOWER AND THE PLANE CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES AND A POST-CRASH FIRE. WEATHER STATIONS IN THE AREA WERE REPORTING LOW IFR CONDITIONS WITH SKIES OBSCURED AND A LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG. THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT HAVING REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE. A COMPLETE TEARDOWN AND INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON THE ACCIDENT ENGINE. NO EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO SUGGEST A PREEXISTING DISCREPANCY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A POWERPLANT FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46TD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46TD-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 32377 (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: 32377
- Airframe hours: 1633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tracy E. Diers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Destination: FET, FREMONT, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,700 total, 95 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFF, 15 nm away

## 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 19871206083049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871206083049A), Dec 6, 1987: Cessna 180, Springfield, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with a tv tower guide wires. Was flying under a low ceiling in rain and fog. VFR flight not recommended.

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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