# NTSB NYC90LA174: Cessna 180, N1ZT, Hilltown, PA, July 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1990, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Hilltown, PA
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA174

## Probable cause

THE PILOT RECEIVING TRAINING MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY AND ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TREES. IN ADDITION, THE CFI FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL-RATED PILOT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION & TRAINING FROM A CFI IN PREPARATION FOR A BFR. DURING A LOW LEVEL APPROACH TO A PRIVATE STRIP, THE LEFT WING DIPPED AND STRUCK TREES AT THE APPROACH END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT, CRASHED NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE CFI REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON GLIDE PATH, '... BUT A LITTLE LEFT OF CENTERLINE ... (PILOT) WAS CORRECTING SO (I) DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1ZT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1ZT), registered now, S/N 31597, 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: 31597
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Joe A. Bawduniak
- Registered owner: Joseph Bawduniak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1990, 7 hours before
- Departed: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Destination: HATFIELD, PA
- Airport: NONE, Gehris

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 330 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19900726028749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900726028749A), Jul 26, 1990: Cessna 180, Hatfield, PA, Substantial damage. Turning final for landing wing struck a tree. CFI check pilot did not act to prevent collision.

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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