# NTSB CEN14FA071: Cessna 182E, N3087Y, Delta, CO, November 29, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 29, 2013, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Delta, CO - Coordinates: 38.739139, -108.070312 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7391&lon=-108.0703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Engines, Cessna Aircraft, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88488 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14FA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88488/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88488 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA071 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s decision to attempt flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and ground impact. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: clouds](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot departed from an uncontrolled airport to rendezvous with an examiner for his private pilot practical test. Weather conditions at the departure airport were overcast clouds at 600 feet and 4 miles visibility. After takeoff, the airplane impacted terrain about 2 miles from the departure end of the runway, on the extended runway centerline. The debris field was consistent with a high speed impact at a flat pitch attitude. The student pilot most likely attempted to climb through the overcast clouds and lost control, then exited the clouds in a steep dive and was attempting to recover from the dive as the airplane impacted the ground. The primary flight instructor stated the student pilot had a "go-go-go" type personality and led a fast-paced life with his business. He intended to use the airplane for his business. Further, the student pilot was concerned about getting his examination done before the airplane's annual inspection. The flight instructor subsequently learned that the student pilot was under additional personal and business stressors. The student pilot's decision to depart into poor weather conditions was most likely influenced by these life stressors, both self-imposed and external. The student pilot had 0.6 flight hours of simulated instrument training recorded in his logbook, as opposed to the Federal Aviation Administration requirement of 3 flight hours for the private pilot practical test. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor (CFI) who flew most of the student's training flights characterized him as having very high achieving and performance traits. He thought the student had a "go-go-go" type personality and led a fast-paced life, due to a hectic schedule managing a telecommunications business. He was aware that his student was an accomplished motorcycle racer and avid motorcycle enthusiast. The CFI stated the student intended to utilize the accident airplane to accomplish trips in support of his telecommunications business and was concerned that he might try to "push too hard" with respect to weather conditions, fatigue, or airplane maintenance to accomplish a business trip. He attempted to instruct the student on "not getting over his head" with respect to flight conditions. As the annual inspection on the accident airplane approached expiration, the CFI told the student that the timeline for the flight practical should not be controlled by the expiration of the annual inspection. Following the accident, the CFI learned that the pilot was under additional personal and business stressors. During preparation for the private pilot practical, the student recorded 0.6 hours of simulated instrument flight time with a vision restricting device. The CFI stated he never flew with the accident pilot in actual instrument meteorological conditions. The accident airplane was manufactured in 1962 and registered with the FAA on a standard airworthiness certificate. The logbooks showed a total of 6,347 hours as of the last annual inspection, which was conducted on November 12, 2012. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors O-470-R engine (serial number 131740-5-R), which had accumulated a total of 2,895 hours as of the last annual inspection and 1,853 hours since last major overhaul. The propeller was installed on September 1, 2000, with no maintenance entries in the propeller log since installation. On November 29, 2013, about 0750 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182E airplane, N3087Y, impacted terrain near Delta, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to Ray Veatsch Agency Inc. and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Blake Field Airport (KAJZ), Delta, Colorado at 0748 and was destined for Crawford Airport (99V), Crawford, Colorado. The student pilot scheduled his private pilot practical test with a designated examiner (DE) located at 99V, about 20 nautical miles east of KAJZ. According to the DE, the student pilot called him on the morning of the accident and informed him there was a cloud deck at KAJZ. The DE told the student pilot the cloud deck was likely a thin layer that would burn off and to fly to 99V after the weather cleared up. An airportsurveillance camera captured the accident airplane departing from Runway 3 at KAJZ. No witnesses observed the accident. On December 2, 2013, an autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Montrose Memorial Hospital, Montrose, Colorado. The examination determined the cause of death to be due to multiple traumatic injuries. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed a toxicology test on the pilot. The test was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol and drugs, with the exception of Acetaminophen (Tylenol). The weather observation station at KAJZ reported the following conditions at 0755: wind calm, visibility 4 miles, overcast clouds at 600 feet, temperature 0 degrees Celsius (C), dew point negative 1 degrees C, altimeter setting 30.39. The student pilot, age 36, had accumulated a total of 98 flight hours, including 63 hours with a flight instructor and 6.4 hours during the three days preceding the accident. All of the student's recorded flight time was in the accident airplane. The student's recorded simulated instrument flight time was 0.6 hours. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires 3 hours of simulated instrument flight training prior to the private pilot practical test. On September 21, 2011, the student pilot was issued a Class 3 medical and student pilot certificate, with a limitation to wear corrective lenses. No significant issues were identified by the pilot or aviation medical examiner during this examination. The airplane impacted about two miles off the departure end of Runway 3 on the extended runway centerline. The initial impact point included ground impressions from all three landing gear and was 440 feet from the furthest piece of wreckage. The debris path was oriented on a 340 degree heading. The engine and wings separated from the fuselage. The fuselage was broken into three large sections; the instrument panel with forward floor assembly, the aft seats with floor assembly, and the empennage. The fuselage sections remained loosely connected via the flight control cables. The engine came to rest 60 feet in front of the fuselage. Control cable continuity was established for all flight control surfaces through tension overload separations in the front door posts and at the wing roots. Both propeller blades displayed twisting, S-bending deformation, and chordwise scratches. The sparkplugs exhibited normal wear when compared to the Champion Aviation Check a Plug Chart AV-27 and both magnetos were capable of producing spark. The crankshaft was rotated by hand and thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Drive train continuity was established throughout the engine. The cylinders were borescope inspected and no anomalies were noted. The oil filter element was inspected, with no contaminates noted. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3087Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3087Y-2017-10-27), registration cancelled 2017-10-27, S/N 18254087, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254087 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 6347 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ray Veatch Agency Inc - Registered owner: Ray Veatch Agency Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2012, 100 hours before - Departed: KAJZ, Delta, CO - Destination: 99V, Crawford, CO - Airport: KAJZ, Blake Field - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: fatal; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 98 total, 98 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: KAJZ, 2 nm away ## 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 20131129022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131129022049A), Nov 29, 2013: Cessna 182E, Delta, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. A student pilot took off in weather ceiling 600 overcast. He turned cross wind and got in the clouds. He lost control in the clouds and crashed approx. 2 miles… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88488. 24.4 MB in all. - Wreckage diagram (item 1, .PDF, 961 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20diagram-Master.PDF - Interview with flight instructor (item 2, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20with%20flight%20instructor-Master.PDF - Interview with examiner (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20with%20examiner-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 4, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 808 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photo of ground impact point and debris path (item 6, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20ground%20impact%20point%20and%20debris%20path%0D%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20-Master.PDF - Photo of fuselage (item 7, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20fuselage%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo of right wing (item 8, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20right%20wing%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo of left wing (item 9, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20left%20wing%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo of propeller (item 10, .PDF, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20propeller-Master.PDF - Cessna Aircraft – accident report (item 11, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Aircraft%20%E2%80%93%20accident%20report-Redacted.PDF - GPS Factual Report (item 12, .PDF, 2 photos, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=GPS%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Attachment 1 - GPS Factual Report (item 13, .CSV, 1 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410369&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20-%20GPS%20Factual%20Report-Master.csv 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.