# NTSB MKC88FA082: Cessna 180, N9161C, Rolla, MO, May 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1988, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Rolla, MO
- Coordinates: 37.940006, -91.760871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9400&lon=-91.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA082

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT APPROACHED THE ROLLA, MISSOURI AIRPORT HE STATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO BOTH TANKS IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHICH DIRECTION HE MOVED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.  ENGINE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE MOVEMENT.  PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING BUT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO MANEUVER TO THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED APPROXIMATELY 150 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AND RUN IN A TEST CELL. ALL ENGINE PARAMETERS WERE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9161C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9161C), registered now, S/N 31260, built 1954 (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: 31260
- Airframe hours: 2661
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Taylor, William E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1988
- Departed: PLK, POINT LOOKOUT, MO
- Airport: K07, Rolla, runway 9, 3,020 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 929 total, 86 in this make and model, 819 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIH, 30 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 19880501011309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880501011309A), May 1, 1988: Cessna 180, Rolla, MO, Substantial damage. Turned fuel selector to off by mistake on downwind. Undershot runway. Aircraft was equipped with amphibious floats.

## Other investigations on N9161C (2)

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 MKC87LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA129), Jun 28, 1987: Cessna 180 (N9161C), Bull Shoals, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC76DER42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DER42), Nov 20, 1975: Cessna 180 (N9161C), Bemidji, MN, 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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