# NTSB ANC04LA047: Cessna 182, N2833R, Minto, AK, April 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2004, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Minto, AK - Coordinates: 65.149742, -149.369659 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.1497&lon=-149.3697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59126/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA047 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing and an in-flight collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The private pilot reported the airplane's engine lost power while turning from base leg to final approach to land at a rural airstrip. He said he was unable to glide to the runway, and made a forced landing in trees short of the runway. Postaccident discussions with the pilot, and an external examination of the engine by an FAA inspector, failed to disclose why the engine lost power. The pilot indicated that he had ample fuel, and he was unaware of any mechanical problems with the airplane. He said carburetor ice may have formed, but that he was certain he had pulled the carburetor heat on, and he did not know if carburetor ice precipitated the power loss. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2004, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 182 airplane, N2833R, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent in-flight collision with trees while on approach to land at the New Minto airstrip, Minto, Alaska. The private certificated pilot and the sole passenger reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Fairbanks, Alaska, about 1350, and the destination was Minto. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions, and a VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 25 at 1550, the pilot related that he was in the traffic pattern at the New Minto airstrip, and was in the process of turning from base leg to final approach for runway 01 when he noticed a loss of engine power. He said he pumped the throttle, and noted an increase in engine manifold pressure, but did not see a corresponding rise in the engine tachometer, or hear the engine noise increase. He said the airstrip is elevated on a bluff, and his altitude was too low to make the runway. He elected to turn away from the runway, and made an emergency landing in trees. The airplane received structural damage to the wings and fuselage. He indicated that he was unaware of any preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the fuel tanks were nearly full. He said during the preflight inspection prior to departing from Fairbanks, he took fuel samples from each of the wing's quick drain sumps. He discovered about 1/8 of an inch of water in the left wing tank, and continued to drain samples from the tank until they were free of water. The pilot also reported that he was certain he had applied the carburetor heat as he reduced power to enter the traffic pattern. Postaccident discussions with the pilot and an external examination of the airplane's engine by a Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office Aviation Safety Inspector did not disclose any definitive explanation for the loss of engine power. The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that it was possible that carburetor ice may have formed after the power reduction while on base leg, but he was uncertain if that is what was responsible for the power loss. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2833R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2833R), registered now, S/N 18258433 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k) (registry code 2072724) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18258433 - Airframe hours: 1368 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas E. Irwin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 2003, 1.4 hours before - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: 51Z, Minto, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 51Z, Minto /New/, runway 01, 2,000 × 65 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 26, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 447 total, 295 in this make and model, 389 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040425006339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040425006339A), Apr 25, 2004: Cessna 182K, Minto, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] aircraft transitioning from left base to final, mixture full rich, carb heat on full, propeller pitch flat, throttle reduced.… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.