# NTSB SEA80FTI01: Cessna A185F, N4961Q, Dillon, MT, October 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 16, 1979
- Place: Dillon, MT · DILLON, MT
- Location: 45.2181° N, 112.6345° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dillon, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2181&lon=-112.6345&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA80FTI01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FTI01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2411  79/10/16 NR.DILLON,MT          CESSNA A185F        CR-  2  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 48, 2057
        TIME - 1700                    N4961Q              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 95 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         DILLON,MT                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- AERIAL SURVEY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4961Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4961Q-1982-08-23), registration cancelled 1982-08-23, S/N 18503588, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19791016027909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791016027909A), Oct 16, 1979: Cessna A185F, Dillon, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft hit trees & burned during low-level aerial geological survey. Evidence aircraft in a steep bank at impact

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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