# NTSB WPR21LA008: Cessna 180, N8678X, Princeton, OR, October 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 2, 2020, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Princeton, OR · (N42 44 47.78 W118 40 26.72) - Coordinates: 42.745925, -118.67379 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7459&lon=-118.6738&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA BOI FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102110/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102110 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to enrichen the mixture, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while completing a low reconnaissance over a road, about 100 feet above ground level (agl), he added full throttle. The engine rpm temporarily increased, but immediately thereafter, the engine “coughed” and was only producing partial power. During the subsequent emergency landing, the landing gear broke off and the airplane sustained damage to the left wing, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. A postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The mixture knob was located at a very lean setting and the pilot stated that he may have forgotten to enrich the mixture from its cruise setting. The engine likely was not able to produce full power due to the excessively lean mixture setting. ## Factual narrative On October 02, 2020, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180E, N8678X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Princeton, Oregon. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he departed from Moses Lake, Washington about 0900 with an estimated 44 gallons of fuel on board. While en route to the destination, he chose an altitude of 11,500 feet mean sea level (msl) in an effort to stay above the smoke and leaned the fuel/air mixture accordingly. After arriving in the vicinity of the intended destination, he planned on completing a low reconnaissance over a road to determine if it was a potential area to land. The pilot further stated that he completed a traffic pattern to the road positioning to land to the west. He saw automobile traffic on the road and decided to make a go-around. With the airplane about 100 to 120 feet above ground level (agl), he added full throttle and in response, the engine rpm temporarily increased. Immediately thereafter, the engine “coughed” about three times and was not making the power he expected. He opted to land immediately given the rising terrain ahead. The airplane landed hard in the dirt about 40 ft south of the road. During the landing, the airplane crossed over the road and the landing gear separated. The airplane sustained damage to the left wing, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. During the recovery efforts, the pilot drained about 4 to 6 gallons of fuel from the airplane. He thought there was probably more fuel on board that had come out of the overflow due to the position the airplane came to rest after the accident. Following the recovery, the pilot noted that the mixture knob was located at a very lean setting. He opined that he may have forgotten to enrich the mixture from the cruise setting, which resulted in insufficient fuel flow when he added throttle during the attempted go-around. A postaccident examination performed by the pilot, who was also a mechanic, revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8678X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8678X), registered now, S/N 18051078, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 180E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180e) (registry code 2072612) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18051078 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 6478.91 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2020 - Departed: MWH, Moses Lake, WA - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 800 total, 135 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KREO, 37 nm away - METAR: KREO 021752Z AUTO 00000KT 23/M06 A3026 RMK AO1 SLP224 T02331056 10233 20056 58004 ## 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 20201002015079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201002015079A), Oct 2, 2020: Cessna 180E, Princeton, OR, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that he departed from moses lake about 0900 with an estimated 44 gallons of fuel on board. During cruise flight down to the destination, he… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 12, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102110. 818 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 705 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11754033&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%206120-Rel.pdf - Record of conversations (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11754787&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Rel.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. --- 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.