# NTSB CEN18FA009: Cessna 182H, N8338S, Las Cruces, NM, October 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 2017, 20:15 local (Oct 13, 2017, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.336944, -106.916389 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3369&lon=-106.9164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Continental Motors, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 96182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18FA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96182/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96182 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA009 ## Probable cause Controlled flight into terrain in dark night conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were returning to their home airport in dark night visual meteorological conditions. Radar captured the airplane's progress as it flew toward the airport. The airplane maneuvered north of the airport, descended to about 200 ft above ground level (agl), turned left toward the airport, climbed to about 500 ft agl, and overflew the airport before turning north. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a descending right turn and subsequently impacted terrain in a left-wing-low attitude. The airplane was mostly consumed by a postimpact fire. The airplane's altimeter at the accident site indicated an altitude about 3,650 ft higher than the accident site elevation; however, impact and fire damage precluded functional testing of the altimeter and the reason for the discrepancy could not be determined. No other anomalies were detected with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The area north of the airport and in the vicinity of the accident site was unpopulated with no cultural lighting. Due to the lack of ground lighting and the dark night conditions, the pilots would have had few visual references by which to perceive their altitude and proximity to terrain. Although such conditions are conducive to the development of spatial disorientation; the airplane's radar track and impact attitude are consistent with a controlled flight into terrain event rather than a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. The reason for the pilots' maneuvering at low altitude could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative The airplane's maintenance logbook recorded a 100-hour inspection completed on August 8, 2017, at a total airframe time of 2,507.15 hrs and 886.91 hrs since engine overhaul. On October 12, 2017, about 2015 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182H airplane, N8338S, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Aero Newton Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Las Cruces International Airport (LRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico, at an undetermined time. Radar data captured the airplane flying over Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, along Highway I-25 toward Las Cruces. Once near the airport, the airplane maneuvered north of LRU and descended to about 200 ft above ground level (agl), turned left toward the airport, and climbed to about 500 ft agl. The airplane then overflew LRU before turning north. Shortly thereafter, the airplane entered a descending right turn over unpopulated terrain and radar contact was lost. The wreckage was discovered on a small mesa by first responders who were dispatched following reports of a fire. The Office of the Medical Investigator, Albuquerque, New Mexico, conducted autopsies on both pilots. The cause of death for both pilots was blunt force trauma. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on specimens from both pilots with negative results for all tested-for substances. A review of lunar astronomical information revealed that the moon did not rise until after midnight on the night of the accident. Personal logbooks were not located for either pilot, and recency of flight experience could not be determined. The airplane impacted unpopulated, desert terrain about 3 miles from the airport at an elevation of about 4,425 ft mean sea level (msl). The wreckage path was about 275 ft long and was oriented on a 215° magnetic heading. Portions of the left wingtip and damaged desert brush were found in the area leading up to the initial impact point. A shallow divot showed signatures consistent with the airplane skidding several feet along the desert floor after impact. The main wreckage was found about 225 ft from the initial impact point; the wreckage comprised the fuselage, wings, and empennage. A post-impact fire consumed most of the fuselage and inboard sections of the wings. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the elevator, elevator trim, and rudder. The left aileron drive cable was continuous to the left aileron. The carry-through cable was continuous from the left aileron to the right aileron. The right aileron drive cable was broken near the right forward door post and exhibited features of overload separation. Most of the fuel system was consumed by thepostimpact fire; the fuel strainer screen was intact and no contamination was observed. The cockpit instrumentation was largely impact and fire damaged. The airspeed indicator displayed 180 mph (about 158 knots), the tachometer displayed about 2,300 rpm, and the altimeter read 8,075 ft with 30.07 inches displayed in the Kollsman window. Impact and fire damage precluded functional testing of the altimeter. The engine remained partially attached to the fuselage via the control cables. The top spark plugs were removed and appeared worn out-normal (when compared to the Champion Aviation Check-a-Plug Chart). The valve covers were removed and no damage was observed to the valve springs and rocker arms. The lower forward portion of the crankcase sustained impact damage that prevented manually rotating the engine crankshaft to verify continuity and compression. The three-bladed Hartzell propeller was found separated from the engine. The crushed spinner was removed from the hub. The blades were identified as A, B, and C for documentation purposes. Blade A was bent aft near the hub and displayed leading edge damage and diagonal chordwise scoring on the cambered side of the blade. Blade B was twisted and exhibited S-bending, and leading edge gouges with chordwise scratches. Blade C was also twisted and exhibited S-bending and chordwise scratches. The vacuum pump and attitude indicator were removed and examined. Examination of the dry vane carbon components revealed impact damage along with rotational scoring around the circumference of both the carbon components and the vacuum pump case. The gyro of the attitude indicator was also examined. The attitude indicator case had crushed into the gyro and was removed. Rotational scoring was observed on the interior of the gyro casing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8338S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8338S-2018-05-10), registration cancelled 2018-05-10, S/N 18256438, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256438 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 2507.15 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aero Newton Inc - Registered owner: Aero Newton Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 2017 - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Destination: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 77; injuries: fatal; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 32,700 total - Student pilot; age 67; injuries: fatal; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KLRU, 3 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 20171012018059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171012018059A), Oct 12, 2017: Cessna 182H, Las Cruces, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On 10-12-2017 at 2015 MST, a Cessna 182 h , N8338S, while in cruise flight, was involved in a fatal accident. The flight originated in truth or consequences,… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96182. 17.2 MB in all. - Photos (item 1, .PDF, 12 photos, 13.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Moon Data (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Moon%20Data-Master.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 455 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Map of Accident Referencing the Airport (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 481 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Referencing%20the%20Airport-Master.PDF - Toxicological Reports (item 5, .PDF, 574 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Reports-Master.PDF - Radar Overlays (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radar%20Overlays-Master.PDF - Radar Data (item 7, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radar%20Data-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.