Cessna 180 N597JC

Summary

On 17 February 2025 at about 20:30 local time, a Cessna 180 registered N597JC was involved in an accident near Breckenridge, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 February 2025 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Breckenridge, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.7400, -98.8910

Aircraft

Cessna 180

Registration

N597JC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA100

Nobody was injured.

The mechanic’s failure to properly install the throttle cable hardware resulting in a separation of the cable and loss of engine throttle control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Following an avionics equipment installation, the pilot flew a local flight with a technician to check the newly installed avionics. The departure and maneuvering for a practice approach were uneventful. At glideslope intercept, the pilot brought the throttle to idle for the airplane to decelerate. After a few moments, the pilot noticed the airplane wasn’t decelerating and adjusted the propeller to help create drag to slow the airplane. About 800 ft above ground level, the pilot added throttle for a practice missed approach while the engine was running smoothly, but the engine did not respond. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and made a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with small mesquite trees and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the throttle cable to the carburetor was found disconnected, and the castellated nut and cotter pin were not located. The recent avionics installation required the temporary removal of the engine throttle cable. Based on available evidence, it is likely that the mechanic did not properly reinstall the cotter pin resulting in the separation of the cable and a loss of engine throttle cable control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.