Cessna 180 accident near Johnson City, TX
On November 14, 1997, a Cessna 180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Johnson City, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 14, 1997
- Place
- Johnson City, TX
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 30.270°N, 98.399°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X09168
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 13, 1997, approximately 2125 central standard time, a Cessna 180 airplane, N20MF, owned and operated by the pilot, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain near Johnson City, Texas. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was fatally injured. The cross country flight originated from the Coulter Airport, Bryan, Texas, about 2000, and was reportedly en route to Van Horn, Texas, a distance of 435.5 nautical miles. Approximately 2000, a witness observed the aircraft takeoff from runway 14 and turn towards the west. Houston Center's radar initially acquired N20MF at 1959:41, as it was leaving the airport. The aircraft headed southwest on an approximate 244 degree magnetic heading. The aircraft proceeded to the vicinity of the Kitty Hill Airport (77T) which is located about 7 nautical miles west southwest of Georgetown, Texas. Radar data shows the aircraft turning right 270 degrees and then turning left to a northeast heading. Houston Center's last radar hit was at 2059:53, southwest of the Kitty Hill Airport (latitude 30 degrees 36 minutes 13 seconds north and longitude 097 degrees 50 minutes 30 seconds west). The aircraft was reported missing when it failed to arrive at Van Horn. On December 13, 1997, the aircraft was located by a deer hunter in a remote area about 7 miles west northwest of Johnson City. The accident site is about 40 nautical miles southw
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors were the low ceilings, dark night light conditions, and the pilot's lack of visible horizon in the unpopulated area.
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Browse: Texas · 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.
