Cessna 180A accident near Salmon, Idaho, August 10, 2014
On August 10, 2014 at about 1:23 pm local time, a Cessna 180A, registered N7784A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Salmon, Idaho (Lemhi County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 2014 · about 1:23 pm local time
- Place
- Salmon, Idaho · Lemhi County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180A A · all 180As on the register
- Registration
- N7784A · registry record · serial 32681
- 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, during the initial climb, everything appeared normal until he reduced the propeller rpm as part of his normal procedure. Shortly after, he noticed a difference in engine performance; he stated that it was as if the engine was not producing thrust. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power; however, he was unsuccessful, so he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence, and the left main landing gear separated, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground before the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the propeller revealed that both propeller blades exhibited indications of functioning in the normal operating range at the time of impact. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the propeller were found that would have precluded normal operation. After a serviceable propeller was installed on the engine, the engine was test run at various power settings with no anomalies noted.
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 engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 206 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 206 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 22, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,125.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 19, 2014
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMN Salmon ID at 1:23 pm
- Destination: Ogden UT
- Runway 35, 5,150 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from KSMN, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.