Cessna 180 accident near Grassy Butte, North Dakota, August 29, 1987
On August 29, 1987, a Cessna 180, registered N2413C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grassy Butte, North Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 1987
- Place
- Grassy Butte, North Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N2413C · no longer on the register · serial 30713
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
N2413C, A CESSNA 180, WAS LANDING IN TEDDY ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK WHERE THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGERS INTENDED TO HUNT DEER. A FLAT, GRASSY AREA ON A RIDGE WAS SELECTED FOR LANDING. THE AREA WAS CHECKED AND MARKED OFF BY FRIENDS OF THE PLT BEFORE THE LANDING ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THE PLT SAID THE MARKED AREA WAS SHORTER THAN HE HAD REQUESTED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DROP OFF AND THE RT MLG COLLAPSED RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL AND RT WING.
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: 510 hours in all; 124 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 486 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,650 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 5, 1986; 130 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9D7 Cando ND at 10:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.