Cessna 180J accident near Wickenburg, AZ
On May 27, 1999, a Cessna 180J (airplane) was involved in an accident near Wickenburg, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 27, 1999
- Place
- Wickenburg, AZ
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180J · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.901°N, 112.901°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X18797
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 27, 1999, at 0710 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 180J, N2660M, collided with electrical transmission lines and crashed in Wickenburg, Arizona. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial rated pilot received serious injuries, while his private pilot rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Moreton Airpark, Wickenburg, about 0700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he and his passenger had taken off from runway 31 at Moreton Airpark and had made a right turn to a southeasterly heading. Their intent was to fly down the Hassayampa riverbed before returning to Moreton. The purpose of the flight was to demonstrate to the passenger, who was also a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic, a hissing sound the aircraft made after being shutdown. This symptom had developed after the mechanic installed new fuel bladders. After takeoff, the pilot said that they had climbed to between 3,000 and 3,500 feet msl, and were discussing the aircraft symptom when he noticed a bright flash. His next recollection was of talking to paramedics. A witness located near the accident site, reported seeing an aircraft flying down the Hassayampa riverbed about 10 feet agl. The aircraft then disappeared from view but a few seconds later she heard the sound of a crash. The wires were marked with an orange ball. Witnesses near the accident site
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from ground obstacles. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention in this accident.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · 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.
