# NTSB SEA89LA046: Cessna 180J, N52095, Elk City, ID, January 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1989, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Elk City, ID
- Coordinates: 45.800792, -115.509567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8008&lon=-115.5096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA046

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT ON TOUCHDOWN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SOFT SNOW CONDITIONS ON THE RANCH AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE AND APPROACH TO A RANCH STRIP WHICH WAS COVERED WITH PACKED SNOW. ON LANDING, THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS NOT ON THE PACKED SNOW AND IT SANK INTO A FOOT OF SOFT SNOW. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52095](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52095), registered now, S/N 18052496, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052496
- Airframe hours: 2912
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenrick E. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1988, 70 hours before
- Departed: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Airport: Allison Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 150 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19890130040169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890130040169A), Jan 30, 1989: Cessna 180J, Elk City, ID, Substantial damage. Landed near edge of an impacked snow covered ranch strip. Wheel sank into soft snow. Aircraft flipped over.

## Other investigations on N52095 (2)

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.

- [NTSB WPR15LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA234), Jul 26, 2015: Cessna 180J (N52095), Dixie, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right brake hydraulic line during taxi due to fatigue, which caused a loss of hydraulic fluid and rendered the brake inoperative.
- [NTSB SEA96LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA014), Nov 6, 1995: Cessna 180J (N52095), Stanley, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with obstacles at the end of the takeoff area. His failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear the obstacles was a factor.

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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