Cessna 180K accident near Bullfrog, Utah, June 17, 1989
On June 17, 1989 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Cessna 180K, registered N1846Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bullfrog, Utah (Bullfrog Basin airport). 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 FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE CROSSWIND WAS CONSIDERED AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. AN UNDERLYING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN PERFORMING CROSSWIND LANDINGS IN THE CESSNA 180.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 1989 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Bullfrog, Utah · Bullfrog Basin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180K · all 180Ks on the register
- Registration
- N1846Z · registry record · serial 180-52968
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE TAILWHEEL-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE TO THE NORTH ON A 3500-FOOT, GRAVEL-COVERED, ASPHALT RUNWAY. THE WIND WAS FROM THE WEST AT 5 KNOTS. THE PILOT SAID HE TOUCHED DOWN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF RUNWAY AND CORRECTED WITH LEFT AILERON FOR 'AN APPARENT LEFT CROSSWIND.' HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IT OVERTURNED IN A DITCH PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT. LATER EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE PILOT HAD LOGGED A TOTAL OF 18 HOURS IN THE CESSNA 180K, ALL OF WHICH WAS ACQUIRED IN THE PREVIOUS 30-DAY PERIOD. HE HAD LOGGED AN ADDITIONAL 100 HOURS IN OTHER TAILWHEEL-EQUIPPED AIRPLANES.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,568 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 436 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,201 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 29, 1989; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EGE Eagle CO at 3:45 pm
- Destination: U07
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 1, 3,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.
Other NTSB records under N1846Z the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.