Cessna 180 accident near Russells Point, Ohio, January 14, 1989
On January 14, 1989 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Cessna 180, registered N4585B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Russells Point, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INACCURATE EVALUATION OF WEATHER CONDITION, AND HIS FAILURE TO USE AVAILABLE WEATHER BRIEFING RESOURCES. AS A RESULT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED STRUCTURAL ICING WHICH COVERED THE WINDSCREEN, BLOCKING FORWARD VISIBILITY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 14, 1989 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Russells Point, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N4585B · registry record · serial 31484
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A FREEZING MIST DURING CRUISE. HE ELECTED TO DIVERT TO HIS HOME AIRSTRIP. DURING APPROACH, THE WINDSHIELD ICED OVER. JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN, ALL FWD VISIBILITY WAS LOST. THE PLT ELECTED TO STAY TOWARD THE RT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP DURING ROLLOUT, TO AVOID TREES ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY RAN OFF THE RT SIDE INTO A MUDDY FIELD AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT THAT HE HAD OBTAINED ANY WX BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO THE FLT. NO RECORD OF HIS HAVING OBTAINED ANY WX BRIEFINGS WAS FOUND. A WX REPORTING STATION LOCATED ABOUT 37 MILES AWAY REPORTED LIGHT FREEZING RAIN & FOG ABOUT 25 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 23, 1988
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Urbana OH at 5:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft; scat at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from DAY, 37 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.