# NTSB CEN15LA369: Cessna 182P, N6KW, Bolivar, MO, August 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2015, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Bolivar, MO - Coordinates: 37.596111, -93.348052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5961&lon=-93.3481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA369 ## Probable cause Total electrical failure due to a failed voltage regulator and the pilot’s failure to maintain a proper airspeed during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: dC regulator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022436): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022436/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022436/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During cruise flight, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure. The private pilot diverted to the closest airport and conducted a no-flap landing, during which the airspeed was too high. The airplane subsequently departed the runway, struck a ditch, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The voltage regulator failed a postaccident functional test. The accident is consistent with the loss of electrical power due to a failed voltage regulator and the pilot's improper execution of a precautionary landing. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2015, about 1025 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, single-engine airplane, N6KW, departed the runway surface during a precautionary landing at the Bolivar Municipal Airport (M17), Bolivar, Missouri. The private-rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Joplin Regional Airport (JLN), Joplin, Missouri, and was destined for Spirit of St Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri.During cruise flight, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure and the pilot elected to divert to M17 for a no-flap landing. The pilot reported that the airspeed was too fast on landing, and she landed long on the airport's 4,000 ft. long runway. The pilot added that with the excess speed she wasn't able to keep the airplane on the runway and the airplane went through the grass, and struck a ditch causing it to nose over where it came to rest inverted. An examination of the wreckage showed the lower forward fuselage crushed upward and the nose gear broken aft. The right wing was bent downward at the root, and the right wing strut was bent inward at mid span. The top 12 inches of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent to the left about 70 degrees. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The airplane's voltage regulator and alternator were retained for further examination. The alternator was examined at Aerotech of Louisville, Incorporated, Louisville, Kentucky, on January 19, 2016. The alternator passed all functional testing and a disassembly inspection of its components showed no anomalies. The voltage regulator was examined at Lamar Technologies, Marysville, Washington, on January 27, 2016. The voltage regulator, part number VR600 and manufactured in June 1996, failed the functional test. The pilot reported she had 185 total flight hours, and 90 hours in the airplane make and model. No other anomalies were found with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6KW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6KW-2016-07-11), registration cancelled 2016-07-11, S/N 18260831, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18260831 - Year built: 1971 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JLN, JOPLIN, MO - Destination: SUS, ST LOUIS, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: M17, Bolivar Muni, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 185 total, 90 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KSGF, 21 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 20150818013829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150818013829A), Aug 18, 2015: Cessna 182P, Bolivar, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot reported total electrical failure and performed a precautionary landing at Bolivar regional airport (M17). She landed at a high rate of speed, lost… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91829. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Memorandum Regarding Voltage Regulator Test (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Memorandum%20Regarding%20Voltage%20Regulator%20Test-Master.PDF - Alternator Test Results (item 3, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Alternator%20Test%20Results-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459177&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photograph, Airplane Wreckage (item 5, .PDF, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459178&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph,%20Airplane%20Wreckage-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.