# NTSB MKC89LA177: Cessna 180, N24TW, Topeka, KS, August 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1989, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Topeka, KS
- Location: 39.0688° N, 95.6224° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PHILIP BILLARD MUNI (TOP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0688&lon=-95.6224&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA177

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO SUPPLY POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - powerplant - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE REALIZED HE WAS TOO HIGH ON HIS APPROACH AND EXECUTED A SLIP MANEUVER ON THE BASE TO FINAL LEGS. THEN HE SAID THAT HE FELT HE WAS TOO LOW AND APPLIED ADDITIONAL THROTTLE. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE APPLICATION WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING IN A CORN FIELD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND ENGINE RUN-UP REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE AND COMPONENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N24TW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31611
- Airframe hours: 9309
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reynolds, Earl D.
- Registered owner: Reynolds, Earl D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1989, 42 hours before
- Departed: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Destination: TOP, TOPEKA, KS
- Airport: TOP, Billard, runway 17, 5,099 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 716 total, 133 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOP, 1 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 19890812028849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890812028849A), Aug 12, 1989: Cessna 180, Topeka, KS, Substantial damage. Too high, slipped to shorten glide then became too low and landed short of runway. Blamed power loss, none found.

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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