# NTSB SEA87LA179: Cessna 180H, N4789U, Shelton, WA, August 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1987, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.229919, -123.200958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2299&lon=-123.2010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT THE PILOT STATED THAT A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. HOWEVER, NO REASON FOR LOSS OF POWER COULD BE FOUND. AN EYE WITNESS TO THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT HE HEARD POWER THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOFF TO THE MOMENT OF IMPACT. THE PROPELLER SHOWED HEAVY CHORDWISE SCRATCHES, TWISTING, BENDING, CURLING, AND DEEP LEADING EDGE NICKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4789U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4789U-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 18051489 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051489
- Airframe hours: 5150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Friend
- Registered owner: Richard A Bush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987
- Departed: SHELTON, WA
- Destination: OLYMPIA, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 304 total, 36 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19870830082729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870830082729A), Aug 30, 1987: Cessna 180H, Shelton, WA, Destroyed. Made nose high premature takeoff. Stalled into trees trying to return to lake departure area.

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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