# NTSB WPR15LA191: Cessna 180A, N9699B, Polson, MT, June 19, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2015, 13:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Polson, MT
- Coordinates: 47.705276, -114.191665
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7053&lon=-114.1917&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91402/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91402
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA191

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072604), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while the airplane was on approach and about 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot continued the descent while maintaining the best glide airspeed and performing the engine restart procedures, which included applying carburetor heat. Despite the pilot's efforts, the engine would not restart, and he initiated a forced landing to a small field. During the landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, a weather reporting facility located 37 nautical miles north of the accident site recorded a temperature and dew point that were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide power. However, it could not be determined whether carburetor ice caused the power loss.

## Factual narrative

On June 19, 2015 about 1340 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 180A, N9699B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Polson, Montana. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Cavanaugh Bay Airport (66S), Coolin, Idaho at 1140 with a planned destination of Polson Airport (8S1), Polson, Montana.In a written statement, the pilot stated that during approach, about 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost all power. The pilot continued his descent while maintaining the best glide airspeed. He performed the engine restart procedures where he applied carburetor heat. Despite his efforts the engine would not restart and he initiated a forced landing to a small field. During the landing, the right main gear collapsed, subsequently resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot further stated that he had 26 gallons of fuel on board prior to departing 66S. An onsite examination of the wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on June 19, 2015. The inspector was present during the transportation process of the wreckage. Seven gallons of fuel was collected from each main tank with some fuel remaining in each. The main fuel line to the carburetor was disconnected and fuel was present. A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted on July 6, 2015. The carburetor drain plug was removed and fuel flowed freely from the drain. The gascolator was filled with fuel and free of contaminates. The gascolator was inspected with a flashlight and its screen was free of debris and contaminates. The crankshaft was rotated by hand and engine gear continuity was attained from the propeller assembly to the accessory case. Confirmed compression from all six cylinders and spark from both magnetos were attained. Additionally, on July 20, 2015, the wing tank vent lines and left and right fuel tank caps were examined and revealed no anomalies. The postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell (GPI), Montana, located 37 nautical miles north of the accident site, at 1255 the automated weather observation, included winds from 230 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 25 degrees C, dew point 3 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury. The GPI 1355 automated weather observation, included winds from 240 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 22 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 26 degrees C, dew point 3 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury. In the remarks section of the observation, peak winds wererecorded from 220 degrees at 27 knots. Temperature and dew point values for the approximate time of the accident indicated that the relative humidity was approximately 24 percent. When the intersection of the two temperature values was located on a chart that depicted carburetor ice envelopes, the point was in the region of the chart denoted as "Icing at Glide and Cruise Power."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9699B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9699B-2015-12-12), registration cancelled 2015-12-12, S/N 32996, built 1957 (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: 32996
- Year built: 1957
- Airframe hours: 1973
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schantz Matthew T
- Registered owner: Schantz Matthew T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2014
- Departed: 66S, COOLIN, ID
- Destination: 8S1, Polson, MT
- Airport: 8S1, Polson, runway 18, 4,195 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,785 total, 290 in this make and model, 2,703 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KGPI, 37 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 20150619009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150619009019A), Jun 19, 2015: Cessna 180A, Polson, MT, Substantial damage. On approach to Polson, MT the pilot lost engine power. He made an emergency landing in a field 1/2 mile north of the airport. In flight carburator icing is the…

## Other investigations on N9699B (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 CHI83LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA073), Jan 2, 1983: Cessna 180 (N9699B), Monee, IL, substantial damage

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91402. 3.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA-Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, CE-09-35 (Carburetor Icing Prevention, Chart) (item 2, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432902&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA-Special%20Airworthiness%20Information%20Bulletin,%20CE-09-35%20(Carburetor%20Icing%20Prevention,%20Chart)%20-Master.PDF
- Onsite Examination (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Onsite%20Examination%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Follow-Up Examination (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Follow-Up%20Examination%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Email-Pilot Carburetor Heat Application (item 5, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email-Pilot%20Carburetor%20Heat%20Application-Master.PDF
- Photographs (item 6, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs-Master.PDF

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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