# NTSB SEA96LA014: Cessna 180J, N52095, Stanley, ID, November 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 1995, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Stanley, ID - Coordinates: 44.260925, -114.970451 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2609&lon=-114.9705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42306/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA014 ## 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. ## Analysis The pilot took off from an 1,800-foot long grass takeoff area with 1/2 inch of snow cover. He stated that he became airborne at minimum controllable airspeed and attempted to accelerate in ground effect but that the aircraft did not accelerate well. The airplane struck a fence at the end of the takeoff area, shearing off its left main landing gear, and a tree which damaged its left wingtip. The flight diverted to Challis, Idaho, and landed, where it went off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported a baggage weight of 250 pounds to an FAA investigator but only 100 pounds on the NTSB accident report. There were three occupants and six duffle bags aboard the airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 1995, approximately 0800 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180J, N52095, collided with objects on takeoff from the Diamond D Ranch near Stanley, Idaho. The flight, which had planned to proceed to the Flying B Ranch, diverted to Challis, Idaho, where it went off the edge of the runway on landing roll. The airplane was substantially damaged during the flight but none of the three occupants, including the commercial pilot-in-command, were injured. The flight was a non-scheduled, on-demand air taxi flight to be conducted under 14 CFR 135. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) existed and the pilot reported that a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he took off downhill to the north from a grass takeoff area about 1,800 feet long and about 5,800 feet above sea level. He reported that there was about 1/2 inch of snow cover on the grass. He described weather conditions at the time of the accident as being VMC, temperature 22 degrees F, and winds gusting to about 10 knots. The pilot reported to the on-scene FAA investigator that winds were from the south but later stated on his NTSB accident report that they were variable in direction. At 0808, the automated meteorological observation system (AMOS) at Challis (36 nautical miles northeast of Stanley) reported wind from 180 degrees magnetic at 4 knots, with peak wind of 5 knots. The FAA on-scene investigator reported that the pilot aborted his first takeoff attempt and returned to the end of the takeoff area for a second attempt. The pilot reported that on the takeoff, he became airborne at minimum controllable airspeed and attempted to accelerate in ground effect, but that the aircraft "did not accelerate...well." According to the FAA investigator's report, the pilot then pitched the nose down in an attempt to pick up speed. The airplane then struck a fence at the end of the takeoff area, shearing off the airplane's left main landing gear. The pilot also reported that the airplane's wingtip struck a tree. The pilot reported that since the airplane flew stably following the occurrence, he elected to proceed to Challis since emergency equipment was available there. During the divert to Challis, the pilot reported his situation on Challis UNICOM frequency. The FAA investigator's report stated that pilots of two aircraft which responded to the situation landed at Challis and subsequently observed damage to N52095's left wingtip and that its left main gear and tailwheel were missing. On landing at Challis, N52095 went off the left edge of the runway. Photographs taken at the landing site showed the aircraft's left main gear and tailwheel missing, as well as damage to the aircraft's left wingtip, aileron, and horizontal stabilizer. The left wingtip and horizontal stabilizer tip were in contact with the ground in the landing site photos. The pilot originally stated to the FAA on-scene investigator that the airplane was loaded with 250 pounds of baggage. The pilot later attached a loading chart to his NTSB accident report indicating that the total cargo weight was 100 pounds. The FAA on-scene investigator's report stated that a county sheriff's deputy reported to him that the pilot had unloaded six duffle bags from the accident aircraft. The FAA on-scene investigator requested the two passengers to furnish a written statement; however, the passengers did not submit the requested statements. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass - object - fence - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## 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: 4838 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Scott W. Patrick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 13, 1995, 31 hours before - Destination: FLYING B RANCH, ID - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Diamond D Ranch, runway 35, 1,800 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,150 total, 2,450 in this make and model, 15,150 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 21 °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 19951106036049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951106036049A), Nov 6, 1995: Cessna 180J, Stanley, ID, Substantial damage. Tried depart 1800FT strip in half inch snow at or over gross. Sheared gear on fence. Landed and slid off runway. ## 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 SEA89LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA046), Jan 30, 1989: Cessna 180J (N52095), Elk City, ID, substantial damage. 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. 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.