# NTSB WPR25LA235: Cessna 180J, N52175, Kamiah, ID, August 1, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 31, 2025, 18:43 local (Aug 1, 2025, 01:43 UTC) - Place: Kamiah, ID - Coordinates: 46.298, -116.061 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2980&lon=-116.0610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200703/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200703 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control following an encounter with a microburst during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: microburst](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034050/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that at the time of rotation, the airplane encountered a microburst or strong crosswind that rolled the airplane aggressively to the right, causing the wingtip to drag on the runway. The airplane exited the runway and struck a ditch, where it cartwheeled and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the tail section. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking off on runway 17. The pilot stated that at the time of takeoff, the wind was from 140° to 150° at 5 to 10 miles per hour, with a thunderstorm about 20 miles east. At the time the airplane encountered the crosswind from a microburst the pilot estimated the wind was from 090° at 40 to 45 miles per hour. The airport was not equipped with weather reporting facilities; however, a weather reporting station was located about 40 miles southeast reported about 5 minutes after the accident, wind from 210° at 14 knots, gusting to 29 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52175](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52175), registered now, S/N 18052538, 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: 18052538 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 3699.1 - Engines: Continental Northpoint XP470-50 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 2025, 63 hours before - Airport: PVT, Flying Elk, runway 17, 3,100 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,798 total, 270 in this make and model, 1,678 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 29 - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KP69, 25 nm away - METAR: METAR KP69 010052Z AUTO 21014G29KT 30/09 A2992 RMK AO1 PK WND 22029/0051 PRESRR SLP113 T03000094 $= ## 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 20250731011529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250731011529A), Jul 31, 2025: Cessna 180J, Elk City, ID, Substantial damage. Aircraft was departing south on runway 17. Pilot stated aircraft required left aileron input to keep on runway. Pilot stated aircraft was hit with a wind gust… ## Other investigations on N52175 (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 ANC79DAA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAA29-201198), Jul 19, 1979: Cessna 180J (N52175), Quail Creek, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200703. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19226596&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19226776&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.