Cessna 180 accident near Placerville, CA
On November 4, 1995, a Cessna 180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Placerville, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 4, 1995
- Place
- Placerville, CA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.730°N, 120.799°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04874
NTSB summary
On November 4, 1995, about 0958 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 180, N3358D, collided with a utility pole while maneuvering at Placerville, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the certificated commercial pilot/flight instructor and his passenger/pilot both received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by the passenger/pilot when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Placerville about 0800 with a stopover in Auburn, California. The aircraft departed Auburn about 0935. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. A witness reported seeing the aircraft approaching from the north. It continued in a northerly direction at tree top level until it was over an open field. As the aircraft crossed the field, its flight path was obstructed by utility lines which traversed the field along a generally east-to-west path. The lines were supported by a series of single 40-foot wooden poles which extended about 34 feet above ground level. Debris from the right wing, a corresponding semicircular indentation on the leading edge, and a matching paint smear about 6 feet from the top of the pole were evidence of the initial impact. After initial impact, witnesses stated the aircraft yawed right and burst into flames before crashing in plowed terrain. After ground impact, the aircraft nosed over and continued to burn. The accident site was located in a plowed field at latitude 38 degrees 45 minutes north and longitude 120 degrees 54 minutes west (5600 Gold Hill Road), with an elevation of 1,595 fee
Probable cause
the pilot's intentional buzzing, his failure to identify an obstruction (inadequate visual lookout), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the obstruction (utility pole). Factors relating to the accident were: dust generated by farm machinery and sun glare, which reduced the pilot's ability to visually detect the obstruction.
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Browse: California · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
