Cessna 180H accident near Yelm, Washington, September 22, 2005
On September 22, 2005 at about 1:00 am local time, a Cessna 180H, registered N1037V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Yelm, Washington (Flying B airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The mixture control linkage separation as a result of a missing retaining nut and washer on the mixture cable attach bolt. Inadequate maintenance inspection and fences were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2005 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Yelm, Washington · Flying B · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180H · all 180Hs on the register
- Registration
- N1037V · registry record · serial 18051989
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he had a hard time starting the engine. Thinking that it was still hot from the previous flight, he pulled the mixture to lean and the engine eventually started. The pilot then put the mixture control to the rich position. The engine run-up was accomplished prior to takeoff with no abnormalities noted. The pilot stated that after takeoff, at about 200 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a turn to an open field and pumped the throttle, then the mixture control. The engine started momentarily before losing power again. The pilot then landed the aircraft in an open field. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with several fences. Post accident inspection of the engine by a local Inspection Authorization mechanic found that the retaining nut and washer on the mixture cable attach bolt was missing. The mechanic operated the mixture cable and found that the lever on the carburetor did not move stop-to-stop. When operating the mixture stop-to-stop from the pilot's seat, the lever on the carburetor slipped and would not stay in preset position in relation to the mixture cable. Further inspection of the engine did not find any other mechanical failures or malfunctions that would preclude the engine from running. An annual inspection had been accomplished about 27 hours prior to the accident.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Yelm WA
- Destination: S44 Spanaway WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.