# NTSB SEA88FA011: Cessna 180K, N2754K, Walton, OR, October 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1987, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Walton, OR
- Coordinates: 44.020469, -123.619972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0205&lon=-123.6200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA011

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING WESTBOUND TOWARD A PASS AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND NEAR THE BASE OF LOW STRATUS CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE AT THE TOP OF A RIDGELINE IN MOUNT/HILLY TERRAIN ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING, TRAVELED 1/2 MILE AND CRASHED INTO A HEAVILY WOODED HILLSIDE. A WITNESS LOCATED ON THE RIDGELINE HEARD THE INITIAL TREE IMPACT AND SAW FALLING DEBRIS BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2754K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2754K-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 18053061, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18053061
- Airframe hours: 678
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carson R. Holst
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1987, 60 hours before
- Departed: OAKRIDGE, OR
- Destination: 6S2, FLORENCE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 109 total, 60 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 50 ft

## 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 19871021060279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871021060279A), Oct 21, 1987: Cessna STC180, Walton, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into cloud obscured trees trying to negotiate a cloud obscured pass VFR. No record of a weather briefing.

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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