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April 19, 2025 · Cessna 180 G · N4679U

Trilla, IL

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 2025
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Trilla, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 180 G (1964)
Tail Number
N4679U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ERA25FA179

On April 19, 2025, at 1016 central daylight time, a Cessna 180G, N4679U, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Trilla, Illinois. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. According to flight history data, the airplane departed its home base in Menomonie, Wisconsin, on April 16, 2025, on a visual flight rules cross-country flight to Muhlenberg County Airport (M21), Greenville, Kentucky. The pilot purchased 42 gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel at M21 before continuing to John C. Tune Airport (JWN), Nashville, Tennessee. On the day of the accident, the pilot flew back to M21 to retrieve a purse that a passenger inadvertently left at the airport during the previous visit. The pilot purchased an additional 12.81 gallons of aviation fuel before departing northbound. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane proceeding toward Mattoon, Illinois. A witness reported that he was on a roof performing repairs when he heard an airplane overhead. He described the engine sound as “unusually low” and similar to that of a “crop duster.” The engine noise increased, as if the airplane was attempting to climb at the end of a low pass. He then heard an explosion and observed a fireball beyond the tree line. The witness further noted that it had recently stopped raining; however, it was “misting” at time of the accident. Surveillance video from a location near the accident site depicted weather conditions that included overcast clouds and light rain. The airplane was located on a county road about 8 nautical miles south of Coles County Memorial Airport (MTO), Mattoon, Illinois. An examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane struck power lines about 35 ft in height, before ground impact. The debris path extended approximately 100 ft along a 227° magnetic heading. The wreckage was highly fragmented. All major components of the airplane were located within the debris field. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces through breaks that were consistent with tension overload. The engine was found partially buried in a crater about 3 ft deep, and was heavily impact damaged. The wreckage was recovered for further examination. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He did not hold an instrument rating. Initial review of the pilot’s logbook revealed that he had accumulated about 300 hours of total flight experience as of October 2024.

Full Narrative

On April 19, 2025, at 1016 central daylight time, a Cessna 180G, N4679U, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Trilla, Illinois. The private pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. According to flight history data, the airplane departed its home base in Menomonie, Wisconsin, on April 16, 2025, on a visual flight rules cross-country flight to Muhlenberg County Airport (M21), Greenville, Kentucky. The pilot purchased 42 gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel at M21 before continuing to John C. Tune Airport (JWN), Nashville, Tennessee. On the day of the accident, the pilot flew back to M21 to retrieve a purse that a passenger inadvertently left at the airport during the previous visit. The pilot purchased an additional 12.81 gallons of aviation fuel before departing northbound. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the airplane proceeding toward Mattoon, Illinois. A witness reported that he was on a roof performing repairs when he heard an airplane overhead. He described the engine sound as “unusually low” and similar to that of a “crop duster.” The engine noise increased, as if the airplane was attempting to climb at the end of a low pass. He then heard an explosion and observed a fireball beyond the tree line. The witness further noted that it had recently stopped raining; however, it was “misting” at time of the accident. Surveillance video from a location near the accident site depicted weather conditions that included overcast clouds and light rain. The airplane was located on a county road about 8 nautical miles south of Coles County Memorial Airport (MTO), Mattoon, Illinois. An examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane struck power lines about 35 ft in height, before ground impact. The debris path extended approximately 100 ft along a 227° magnetic heading. The wreckage was highly fragmented. All major components of the airplane were located within the debris field. Flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces through breaks that were consistent with tension overload. The engine was found partially buried in a crater about 3 ft deep, and was heavily impact damaged. The wreckage was recovered for further examination. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He did not hold an instrument rating. Initial review of the pilot’s logbook revealed that he had accumulated about 300 hours of total flight experience as of October 2024.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:16 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180 G
Tail NumberN4679U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 19 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 F / 55 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time10:12
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data