# NTSB SEA88FA024: Cessna 180G, N4613U, Cambridge, ID, November 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1987, 17:03 local (Nov 14, 1987, 00:03 UTC)
- Place: Cambridge, ID
- Coordinates: 44.620666, -116.699417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6207&lon=-116.6994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA024

## Analysis

DURING A FUEL STOP AT ELKO, NV THE PILOT REQUESTED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR VFR FLIGHT TO LANDER, WY OR TO COUER D'ALENE, ID. THE FAA FSS BRIEFED HIM ON ADVERSE WEATHER TO BOTH DESTINATIONS, WITH FLIGHT ADVISORIES FOR MOUNTAIN OBSCURATIONS, OCCASIONAL SEVERE TURBULENCE AND SEVERE ICING IN CLOUDS AND PRECIPITATION. THE PILOT DEPARTED WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN OR STATED DESTINATION. WHILE ENROUTE, THE PILOT CALLED THE CEDAR CITY FLIGHT ADVISORY FACILITY FOR A WEATHER UPDATE AND WAS AGAIN ADVISED OF ADVERSE WEATHER ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. WHEN THE FLIGHT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT LANDER, WY, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED BUT SUSPENDED AFTER 10 DAYS DUE TO LACK OF FLIGHT PLAN OR DESTINATION INFORMATION. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED UNDER A 7 STRAND, 230 KV ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE BY A LOCAL RESIDENT 13 DAYS AFTER THE MISHAP. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ELECTRIC ARC BURN MARKS FROM IMPACT WITH THE ELECTRIC WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4613U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4613U-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 18051313, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180G
- Registry model: [Cessna 180G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180g) (registry code 2072616) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051313
- Airframe hours: 2397
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence B. Gaylord
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1987, 175 hours before
- Departed: EKO, ELKO, NV
- Destination: S83, KELLOG, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,109 total, 375 in this make and model, 3,032 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYL, 35 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 19871113067149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871113067149A), Nov 13, 1987: Cessna 180G, Cambridge, ID, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Trying to fly under low ceiling, struck a powerline. Fog and thunderstorms in area. VFR flight was not recommended

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.