Cessna 180 accident near Venator, Oregon, October 6, 2024
On October 6, 2024 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1954 Cessna 180, registered N7847C, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Venator, 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 inadvertent application of brakes during landing that resulted in a ground loop.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2024 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Venator, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180, built 1954 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N7847C · registry record · serial 31046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that while conducting a wheel landing on a dry lakebed, the airplane veered to the right. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right, the left wing impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot stated he was unsure why the airplane swerved, adding that it could have been the result of the passenger unintentionally bracing their foot against the right rudder pedal. The pilot also stated the swerve could have been the result of the right wheel brake locking; however, after he had egressed the airplane, he was able to spin the right wheel by hand without any binding noted. Additionally, during the airplane’s recovery and transportation, the airplane was able to be rolled on its main wheels with no instances of either main wheel brake locking or seizing.
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 (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Unintentional use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,793.3 hours in all; 1,033.3 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 17.7 in the last 30 days; 1,711.4 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 29, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,695.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 20, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 60 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KBNO, 32 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBNO 052253Z AUTO 10SM CLR 23/M01 A3025 RMK AO2 RAE2156 SLP230 P0000 T02331006=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of airplane from the left.
Photograph 2 – View of airplane from the right.
Photograph 3 – View of substantial damage to the empennage.
Photograph 4 – View of substantial damage to the left wing.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 22, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Salvage Company | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | 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.