# NTSB WPR25LA036: Cessna 180, N9493C, Owinza, ID, October 13, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 13, 2024, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Owinza, ID - Coordinates: 43, -114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0000&lon=-114.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 195473 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195473/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195473 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water during a low pass over a lake. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he descended to make a low pass over Pettit Lake. He noted that the clear weather condition with no wind impacted his depth perception as the lake surface appeared glassy. During the low pass over the water, the pilot misjudged his altitude above the lake, and the airplanes main landing gear contacted the water. The airplane then bounced and impacted the water a second time before it came to rest and sank. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that could have precluded normal operation. The airplane was not recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9493C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9493C), registered now, S/N 31891, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31891 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 5415.8 - Engines: Continental O-470-R(74) 235 horsepower reciprocating - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Blue Thunder LLC - Registered owner: Blue Thunder LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2023 - Departed: SUN, Hailey, ID - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KSUN, 33 nm away - METAR: METAR KSUN 131755Z 21003KT 10SM CLR 20/M01 A3027= ## 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 20241013015869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241013015869A), Oct 13, 2024: Cessna 180, Owinza, ID, Destroyed. The aircraft approached the lake from the north skimming the water, the right wheel appeared to catch the water and aircraft nosed over into the lake ultimatly… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195473. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18042411&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email correspondence with NTSB duty officer (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18037835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=email%20correspondence%20duty%20officer_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Equipment list and recent annual inspection (item 3, PDF, 16 pages, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18039616&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=equipment%20list%20and%20last%20annual_Redacted-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.