Cessna 180G | N4679U
April 19th, 2025 | Trilla, Illinois
Accident Location
- City: Trilla
- State: Illinois
- Latitude: 39.374167
- Longitude: -88.368056
- Airport ID: KMTO
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N4679U
- Make: Cessna
- Model: 180G
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Nelson, Ross Richard
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 46
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
- IFR Rating: No
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: None
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: April 19th, 2025
- Time: 10:15 AM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: IMC
- Phase Of Flight: Approach
- Total People Onboard: 4
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 3
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 4
- NTSB No:
- NTSB Travel: Unknown
- AQP Classification: 7a) TERRAIN COLLISION - POWERLINES, C-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the non instrument rated accident pilot did maneuver his aircraft during deteriorating low ceiling and visibility conditions, and struck power lines. The Low altitude flight coming from the south was in attempt to reach the Mattoon airport, and struck east – west oriented power lines situated on the north side of East County Road 000 (Trilla road) and exploded upon impact. The debris field was found to be situated south of the powerlines, indicating a possible low altitude attempt to reverse course and fly back south again. The accidents pilots most recent FAA medical was an expired third class medical from January 2019.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft avoid low level flight in poor weather conditions, during periods of increased urgency concerning completion of the flight. The DTSB also recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become increasingly aware of powerlines that nearly always run parallel to paved roads.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.