Cessna 180 N8678X accident near Princeton, Oregon

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to enrichen the mixture, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA008 for the full record.