# NTSB ANC10CA027: Cessna 182B, N2266G, Port Alsworth, AK, March 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2010, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Port Alsworth, AK - Coordinates: 61.530094, -165.60086 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5301&lon=-165.6009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness) - NTSB case key (mKey): 75540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75540/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75540 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to enter adverse weather conditions, resulting in a loss of visibility and collision with terrain during a turn to reverse direction. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna 182B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072706), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The accident airplane was the second of two airplanes, traveling as a flight of two, en route to a remote wilderness lodge in an area of mountainous terrain. The accident pilot stated that as the flight entered a mountain pass, the two airplanes became separated due to heavy snow showers. He said that visibility deteriorated to a point that it was difficult to discern topographical features while in the pass, and he elected to turn around. The pilot reported that during a descending left turn the airplane collided with an area of snow-covered up-sloping terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that the airplane was recently equipped with a 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter, which aided rescue crews in finding the accident site quickly. ## Factual narrative The accident airplane was the second of two airplanes, traveling as a flight of two, en route to a remote wilderness lodge in an area of mountainous terrain. The accident pilot stated that as the flight entered a mountain pass, the two airplanes became separated due to heavy snow showers. He said that visibility deteriorated to a point that it was difficult to discern topographical features while in the pass, and he elected to turn around. The pilot reported that during a descending left turn the airplane collided with an area of snow-covered up-sloping terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane and that the airplane was recently equipped with a 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter, which aided rescue crews in finding the accident site quickly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2266G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2266G-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 51566, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B - Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51566 - Airframe hours: 4597 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-520 SERIES 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Furman Richard W - Registered owner: Furman Richard W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2010, 5 hours before - Departed: PASX, Soldotna, AK - Destination: PALJ, Port Alsworth, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 152 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 1 statute miles ## 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 20100318029539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100318029539A), Mar 18, 2010: Cessna 182B, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. According to the pilot richard furman, he departed the soldotna, Alaska airport with one passenger on board in a flight of two with him trailing (following)… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75540. 389 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 389 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40330331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.