Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Cessna 180K Skywagon, N8884: Accident occurred July 23, 2021 at Hanel Field Airport (0OR9), Mount Hood, Oregon

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon


Location: Mt. Hood, OR
Accident Number: WPR21LA292
Date & Time: July 23, 2021, 20:45 Local
Registration: N8884
Aircraft: Cessna 180K
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On July 23, about 2045 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180K airplane, N8884K was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mt. Hood, Oregon. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that the engine lost power about 45minutes into the flight, but the propeller continued to spin. Despite the actions of the pilot, cycling the propeller, mixture to full rich, throttle to full power, and carb heat to off, the engine did not regain power. The pilot diverted to Hanel Field (0OR9), Mount Hood, Oregon, with the intent to land on runway 34 but elected to change landing directions to land on runway 16. While on approach to runway 16, the pilot lowered the flaps and began a descent. The airplane subsequently struck a tree about 100 feet north of the runway and collided with terrain. The airplane came to rest in a field covered by shrubs and trees. The right wing, from the tip to midspan, and the right aileron were substantially damaged.

The airplane was relocated to a secure facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N8884
Model/Series: 180K
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDLS,235 ft msl
Observation Time: 21:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C /9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / , 280°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Hermiston, OR (HRI)
Destination: Sandy, OR (S48)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 45.592617,-121.54868 (est)

7 comments:

  1. Hanel Field 0OR9 had not been in operation for at least 8 years according to local pilots. The airstrip was still on the current FAA charts as an operating airport. Google Earth pictures show the land owner has built a horse riding arena on the 34 end of the runway blocking the approach. Horse trailers and vehicles are routinely parked on the old runway. Runway 16 had vehicles parked at the end and trees up to 12' growing along the edges of the runway as it has not been maintained. The pilot said without engine power determining where the runway was located or trying to land over the riding arena and trailers was not a valid option. The FAA is currently investigating why Hanel Field is still on their charts.

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    1. Look at WPR21LA292 the FAA realized this should not be on the chart after the pilot reported the issue. They finally removed it from the sectional chart.

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  2. Pilot did a great job of vectoring his gliding aircraft to “nearest airport” only to find it is no longer a useable airport. I know this area well and their were many other options of pastures and cleared grazing land suitable for an emergency. Being unfamiliar with area and relying on his FAA charts mislead him into a near disaster. I do hope whoever collects a salary to keeps these charts current fixes the problem before someone is injured or killed.

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  3. happened prior to this when ATC vectored a Bonanza engine out tho a field still on their charts, but no longer physically existed, subsequent crash cost lives

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  4. Hanel Field 0OR9 appears to have been removed from the FAA Sectional Chart on the next run after the accident happened. The locals had been trying to get this removed for years. It took an attempted landing and subsequent crash at this airport to get it done. Thank God there wasn't an serious injury other than to the aircraft. Ironically Google Earth shows the downed aircraft at the north east end of the airstrip in their survey which took place the day after the accident!!!!! Look at the horse riding arena, and vehicles on the runway, trees along the sides.

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  5. Official NTSB Report is out here: WPR21LA292 Although not specifically cited as the reason for fuel starvation, see the pictures, graphical engine data and narrative on the fuel transducer installation and fuel line routing by Pacific Coast Avionics. That looks suspect for sure, looks like it probably kinked due to being compromised on install and/or engine heat and exceeding the minimum fuel line bend radii.

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  6. Here is the link to the final report on WPR21LA292 for the NTSB website.

    https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103569

    NOTE: Take a look at the picture of the fuel line installation. The report does reference the many bends, and non-standard configuration. Could the fuel starvation been due to vapor lock because of the many bends?

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