On July 8, 2004, a Cessna 180E (registration N8676X) was involved in an aviation accident near Weiner, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misidentification of the intended airstrip, which resulted in a landing in a rice field and subsequent loss of control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot on a local flight landed in a rice field instead of the intended airstrip, causing the aircraft to flip over and come to rest inverted.
What happened
During a local flight, the pilot attempted to land at an airstrip but misidentified the location. Instead of reaching the intended runway, the aircraft touched down in a rice field. As the plane landed on the uneven terrain, the pilot lost control. The aircraft subsequently flipped over and came to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
Following the accident, the pilot provided a statement regarding the events leading up to the crash. He noted that he had never previously landed at the intended airstrip, which likely contributed to the navigational error. Upon inspection of the aircraft after the incident, the pilot confirmed that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the landing attempt.
Probable cause
The pilot's misidentification of the intended airstrip, which resulted in a landing in a rice field and subsequent loss of control.