Cessna 180J accident near Granbury, Texas, January 23, 1999
On January 23, 1999 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna 180J, registered N52170, was substantially damaged in an accident near Granbury, Texas (Nassau Bay airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor was the power lines crossing the final approach path.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 23, 1999 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Granbury, Texas · Nassau Bay · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180J · all 180Js on the register
- Registration
- N52170 · registry record · serial 18052534
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
At departure the right fuel tank was empty, the left fuel tank contained 17 gallons, and the fuel selector was positioned to the 'BOTH' position for takeoff. After takeoff, the pilot selected the left fuel tank. Within 2 to 3 minutes after takeoff, the engine began to 'run rough and sputter.' Emergency checklist procedures did not restore engine power. Power lines crossed the approach path for the runway selected for the forced landing. The airspeed decreased as the airplane cleared the power lines and the airplane landed 'hard' on the runway. Flight control continuity was confirmed. There was continuity of fuel flow throughout the fuel system. No physical evidence of fuel leakage was found. Engine continuity was confirmed and no discrepancies were found that would prevent engine operation. The carburetor was flow tested and disassembled. No fuel flow test variations or discrepancies were noted that would prevent operation of the carburetor.
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: 400 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 350 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,305 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 1998; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-50 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE TX at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 34, 2,800 ft by 300 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.