Cessna 180H N2780X

Summary

On 7 October 2012 at about 00:14 local time, a Cessna 180H registered N2780X, operated by Whitehead Richard G, was involved in an accident near St Maries, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2012 at 00:14

Classification

Accident

Location

St Maries, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

St Maries Municipal Airport (S72)

Coordinates

47.2158, -116.6861

Aircraft

Cessna 180H

Registration

N2780X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Whitehead Richard G

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lewiston → St Maries

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA005

1 person had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while descending the airplane from cruise flight toward his destination airport, the engine began to make unusual sounds and then lost total power. Despite the pilot’s attempts, the engine would not restart, so he initiated a forced landing to a nearby dirt road. During the landing roll, the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions were not conducive to the formation of carburetor icing. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.