Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

March 31, 2018 · Cessna 180 · N2485C

Grove, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Grove, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 180 (1954)
Tail Number
N2485C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA131

The airline transport pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine "coughed once, then died." The pilot attempted to restore power without success, then performed a forced landing to a rodeo arena. The pilot also stated that he did not apply carburetor heat following the loss of engine power. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the recorded weather information in the area indicated that the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious icing at any power setting. The total loss of engine power was likely due to an accumulation of carburetor ice. Had the pilot immediately applied carburetor heat, it is possible that it would have cleared the ice and restored engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice accumulation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat immediately following the loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On March 31, 2018, about 0815 central daylight time, a Cessna 180 airplane, N2485C, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Grove, Oklahoma. The airline transport pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight departed Circle S Farms Airport (AR91), Lowell, Arkansas, about 0800, and was en route to Grove Municipal Airport (KGMJ), Grove, Oklahoma. According to the pilot, he departed AR91 and was en route to KGMJ to purchase fuel. While en route the engine quit producing power. During a forced landing to a rodeo arena, both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage were substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane, including the engine and fuel system, revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The closest routine aviation weather report, taken at 0815, recorded a temperature of 54°F and a dewpoint temperature of 41°F. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart, located in the Federal Aviation Administration's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, dated June 30, 2009, revealed that the airplane was operating in an area favorable for the formation of serious carburetor icing at any power setting.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN2485C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O470-J · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 41 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time13:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data