# NTSB CEN11CA492: Cessna 182S, N314FR, Meeker, CO, July 19, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2011, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Meeker, CO - Coordinates: 40.04861, -107.885833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0486&lon=-107.8858&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA492 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81185/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81185 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA492 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent flight into a downdraft, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03030000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 182S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072701), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed on a local sightseeing flight. He said that about 5 miles south of the airport at 1,000 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft and began to descend. The airplane collided with the tops of several trees before the pilot could arrest the descent. The pilot was able to regain control of the airplane and returned to the departure airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed on a local sightseeing flight. About 5 miles south of the departure airport and at an altitude of at least 1,000 feet above the terrain, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft. The airplane collided with the tops of several trees before the pilot could arrest the descent. The pilot was able to regain control of the airplane and return to the departure airport without further incident. The pilot added there were no preimpact problems with the airplane prior to the collision with the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of the collision with the tree tops. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N314FR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N314FR), registered now, S/N 18280260, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182S - Registry model: [Cessna 182S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182s) (registry code 2072701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18280260 - Airframe hours: 1934 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Phds Inc - Registered owner: Phds Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 2011 - Departed: KEEO, Meeker, CO - Destination: KEEO, Meeker, CO - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 27, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 336 total, 250 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KEEO ## 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 20110719015589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110719015589A), Jul 19, 2011: Cessna 182S, Meeker, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft impacted terrain and trees near Meeker, Colorado. The pilot was able to fly the aircraft to Meeker airport (keeo). There were no injuries to the… ## Other investigations on N314FR (2) 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. - [NTSB WPR23FA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA137), Mar 21, 2023: Cessna 182S (N314FR), Alcova, WY, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB MIA01LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA160), Jun 12, 2001: Cessna 182S (N314FR), Corolla, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing flare and touchdown resulting in the airplane touching down on the left side of the runway and the left wing contacting trees. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81185. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Telephone record of conversation (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Telephone%20record%20of%20conversation-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353042&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Left side, damaged horizontal stabilator. (item 4, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Left%20side,%20damaged%20horizontal%20stabilator.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Right side, damaged horizontal stabilator. (item 5, .PDF, 840 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Right%20side,%20damaged%20horizontal%20stabilator.-Master.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.