Cessna 180 accident near Caldwell, Idaho, May 14, 2010
On May 14, 2010 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Cessna 180, registered N3142C, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Caldwell, Idaho (Owyhee Reservoir State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of directional control and runway excursion for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2010 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Caldwell, Idaho · Owyhee Reservoir State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N3142C · registry record · serial 30941
- 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 landed with a direct left crosswind and noted a steady half windsock deflection. The airplane bounced once before settling onto the runway. During the landing roll, he retracted the flaps to one notch and deflected the ailerons into the wind. Light right rudder deflection and right braking was required for the existing conditions. The pilot stated that as the landing roll progressed, the right brake failed to activate, and the airplane veered toward the side of the runway. The pilot did not want to risk aborting the landing and the airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway surface into brush and rough terrain. The right main landing gear collapsed after bouncing across one ditch, and the right wing sustained substantial damage after the airplane bounced across a second ditch. The pilot stated that during his preflight inspection there were no signs of brake fluid leakage on the brake assembly or on the hangar floor, and that the right brake functioned normally during taxi and departure. Immediately after the accident, the pilot noted that although the wreckage was on top of the right main landing gear, the right tire was inflated, and the brake caliper was coated in brake fluid. Due to the damage, it could not be determined if a brake anomaly existed 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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 415 hours in all; 310 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 415 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 3, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,453 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 23, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Itm Electronics, Inc
The flight
- Departed from: 28U Caldwell ID
- Destination: EUL Caldwell ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 1,840 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from KEUL, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.