# NTSB SEA99LA147: Cessna 180A, N5359D, Belgrade, MT, August 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1999, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Belgrade, MT - Coordinates: 45.809356, -111.149467 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8094&lon=-111.1495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47174 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47174/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA147 ## Probable cause Clearance from objects was not maintained during taxiing. Factors include the pilot's inadequate visual lookout. ## Analysis The pilot stated that, because of camera equipment on the dash restricting his visibility, he turned into the parked airplane which he did not see while taxiing in from a flight. In a written statement, he stated that the collision occurred in a right turn with his attention diverted to the left. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 1999, at 0930 mountain standard time, N5359D, a Cessna 180A, was substantially damaged when the pilot taxied into a parked Beech V-35B after landing at Gallatin Field, Belgrade, Montana. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured. No flight plan was filed for the flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no report of the ELT actuating. The pilot stated that, because of camera equipment on the dash restricting his visibility, he turned into the parked airplane which he did not see. In a written statement, he stated that the collision occurred in a right turn with his attention diverted to the left. FAA inspectors confirmed that three or four ribs and leading edge skin on one wing of the Cessna 180A required repair or replacement. The pilot's medical certificate had been denied in January 1997. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5359D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5359D-2017-01-09), registration cancelled 2017-01-09, S/N 50257, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180A - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50257 - Airframe hours: 16200 - Engines: Continental O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harris Aerial Survey, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 1998 - Destination: BZN - Airport: BZN, Gallatin Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 16,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBZ ## 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 19990821043039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990821043039A), Aug 21, 1999: Cessna 180A, Bozeman, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was taxing a/c to parking and became distracted and taxied into a parked a/c tied down on the ramp. ## Other investigations on N5359D (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 CHI02LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA207), Jul 22, 2002: Cessna C180A (N5359D), Ogallala, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The open window diverting the pilot's attention was a contributing 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. --- 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.