Cessna 180K accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, June 23, 2002
On June 23, 2002 at about 7:54 pm local time, a Cessna 180K, registered N2801K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho (Fanning Field). It was an aerial observation 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 pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll. A crosswind was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2002 · about 7:54 pm local time
- Place
- Idaho Falls, Idaho · Fanning Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180K · all 180Ks on the register
- Registration
- N2801K · registry record · serial 18053072
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In a written statement, the pilot related that the "Winds were 8 knots but shifting from 140 degrees to 210 degrees", on his approach to the runway. The pilot stated that after landing on the right tire, he reduced power to the engine. Before the left tire had touched down he related that, "the aircraft pivoted on the right tire and shot to [his] left." In an attempt to regain control, he applied full power, however the aircraft slid off the runway, and came to rest facing approximately 180 degrees from the landing direction. The 1353 METAR observation at Idaho Falls reported winds from 190 degrees at 10 knots.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 11,890 hours in all; 650 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 11,790 as pilot in command; 30 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 1, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,976 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2001; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,190 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-470U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KIDA Idaho Falls ID at 7:54 pm
- Destination: KIDA Idaho Falls ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 020, 9,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KIDA
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.
Other NTSB records under N2801K the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number SEA02LA105.