Cessna 180 accident near Princeton, Oregon, October 2, 2020
On October 2, 2020 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1961 Cessna 180, registered N8678X, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Princeton, Oregon. 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 pilot’s failure to enrichen the mixture, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2020 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Princeton, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 E, built 1961 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N8678X · registry record · serial 18051078
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while completing a low reconnaissance over a road, about 100 feet above ground level (agl), he added full throttle. The engine rpm temporarily increased, but immediately thereafter, the engine “coughed” and was only producing partial power. During the subsequent emergency landing, the landing gear broke off and the airplane sustained damage to the left wing, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. A postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The mixture knob was located at a very lean setting and the pilot stated that he may have forgotten to enrich the mixture from its cruise setting. The engine likely was not able to produce full power due to the excessively lean mixture setting.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 135 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,478.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 3, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MWH Moses Lake WA at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 am from KREO, 37 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KREO 021752Z AUTO 00000KT 23/M06 A3026 RMK AO1 SLP224 T02331056 10233 20056 58004
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 12, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversations | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.