# NTSB SEA91FA181: Cessna 180J, N9962N, Newcastle, WY, July 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1991, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Newcastle, WY
- Coordinates: 43.840927, -104.210426 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8409&lon=-104.2104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA181

## Probable cause

PILOT FACTOR IN THAT HE DID NOT MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT FLYING SPEED AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval, faa(organization)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 180 DEPARTED THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AIRPORT WITH THE INTENTION OF FOLLOWING A CESSNA 185 FOR A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT.  THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH WAS HEAVILY LOADED, WAS DESCRIBED BY A CFI ON THE GROUND AS WALLOWING THROUGH THE AIR AFTER DEPARTURE.  THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO THE WITNESS TO BE IN SLOW-FLIGHT AT A SPEED JUST ABOVE A STALL, WITH NO APPRECIABLE RATE OF CLIMB.  THE AIRCRAFT TURNED OUT OF THE PATTERN TOWARD RISING TERRAIN AND ULTIMATELY STALLED AND SPUN INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9962N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9962N-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 18052617, built 1975 (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: 18052617
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Markham
- Registered owner: James W. Markham
- Departed: ECS, NEWCASTLE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,696 total, 1,696 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910719028899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910719028899A), Jul 19, 1991: Cessna 180J, Newcastle, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. At or over gross weight,high density altitude. Impacted rising terrain near vertical,had special medical certificate

## Other investigations on N9962N (1)

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 MIA88LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA243), Aug 2, 1988: Cessna 180J (N9962N), Pahokee, FL, substantial damage

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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