The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB BFO93FA034 · Final report

Cessna 180F accident near Brewer, Maine, February 27, 1993

On February 27, 1993 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Cessna 180F, registered N4607U, was destroyed in an accident near Brewer, Maine (Brewer airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
February 27, 1993 · about 1:30 pm local time
Place
Brewer, Maine · Brewer
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 180F · all 180Fs on the register
Registration
N4607U · registry record · serial 18051307
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. A PREHEATER WAS NEEDED DUE TO THE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND THE PILOT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT FOR 'ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MINUTES.' THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO DIFFICULTIES IN TAXIING THE AIRPLANE THROUGH ICE AND SNOW BANKS TO GET TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN AND LAND ON A GOLF COURSE. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK AND 'STALLED.' IT IMPACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS, BUT SEVERAL SPARKPLUGS EXHIBITED SOOTING.

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; single-engine sea
  • Flight time: 242 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 211 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 3,924 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, August 15, 1992; 59 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
  • Seats: 4
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 0B2 at 1:30 pm
  • Destination: Allagash Lake ME
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 19, 1,800 ft by 100 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Visibility: 15 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 3°F (-16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
  • Observation at 1:52 pm from BGR, 10 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1
Passengers1

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.