# NTSB CEN20FA075: Cessna 182, N60381, Chatham, LA, February 6, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report
- Date: February 6, 2020, 14:13 local (20:13 UTC)
- Place: Chatham, LA
- Coordinates: 32.314445, -92.440551
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3144&lon=-92.4406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-IFR initial approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Textron Aviation, Lycoming Engines, FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100910/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100910
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA075

## Probable cause

The pilot’s encounter with icing in-flight, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031025/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 182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-IFR initial approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-IFR initial approach: Structural icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/210/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The instrument-rated pilot was enroute on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan to his planned destination. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed in the area. While flying at 6,000 ft, the pilot informed air traffic control (ATC) that the airplane was picking up ice and asked for a lower altitude. ATC approved a descent to 3,000 ft. The pilot asked ATC if he could divert to a nearby airport to remove ice from the airplane, and ATC cleared the pilot to proceed to the initial approach fix for an instrument approach to the diversion airport. About 4 minutes later, ATC broadcasted a low altitude alert and attempted to advise the pilot that the airplane was at 1,000 ft., and to climb immediately. There was no response from the pilot. Radar data showed the airplane's ground speed slowing and in a rapid descent before radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted the ground in a near vertical attitude. A post-impact fire consumed most of the fuselage, cabin, cockpit, and right wing. No pre-impact anomalies were observed with the airframe, flight controls, and engine. All flight instruments were consumed by the post-impact fire. Propeller blade damage was consistent with rotation at the time of impact. A weather study of the area showed that marginal visual meteorological conditions (MVMC) to IMC prevailed along the airplane’s route and in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. AIRMETs (Airman’s meteorological information) were current for IFR conditions along the route of flight and occasional moderate icing conditions. The conditions were conducive to structural icing. There were several pilot reports of light icing in the accident area before and after the accident occurred. The pilot’s report of icing was consistent with the existing weather conditions. It is unknown whether the pilot obtained a weather briefing before the flight and was aware of the icing conditions. The circumstances of this accident are consistent with a loss of control of the airplane due to in-flight icing.

## Factual narrative

On February 6, 2020, about 1413 central standard time, a Cessna 182 airplane, N60381, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chatham, Louisiana. The pilot and 2 passengers sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The instrument flight rules (IFR) flight originated about 1307 from the Jackson-Hawkins Field Airport (HKS), Jackson Mississippi, and was enroute to Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), Shreveport, Louisiana. About 1336, radar data showed the airplane at 6,000 ft. The pilot contacted Monroe Air Traffic Control (ATC). About 1350, the pilot advised ATC that the airplane was picking up ice on the struts and on the edges of the windshield. The pilot requested and was approved to descend to 4,000 ft. About 1352, the pilot advised ATC that he shed some ice and would remain at 4,000 ft. The pilot asked if he could descend to 2,000 ft. ATC advised that 3,000 ft. was the lowest altitude that he could descend. About 1355, the pilot requested and was cleared to 3,000 ft. About 1405, the pilot asked ATC if he could divert to Ruston Regional Airport (RSN) to remove ice from the airplane. ATC acknowledged and asked the pilot what type of approach he wanted. About 1407, the pilot requested the RNAV approach to runway 36 at RSN. ATC cleared the pilot direct to RUKOW (initial approach fix for the RNAV RWY 36 approach to RSN). The pilot acknowledged. About 1411, ATC broadcasted a low altitude alert and attempted to advise the pilot that the airplane was at 1,000 ft. and to climb immediately. There was no response from the pilot. Radar data showed the airplane's ground speed decrease and in a rapid descent before the radar contact was lost. An autopsy on the pilot was performed by the Jackson Parish Coroner’s Office, Jonesboro, Louisiana. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology tests, performed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, were negative for drugs and alcohol. A weather study of the area showed that marginal visual meteorological conditions (MVMC) to instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed along the airplane’s route and in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. AIRMETs (Airman’s meteorological information) were current for IFR conditions along the route of flight and occasional moderate icing conditions. There were several pilot reports of light icing in the accident area before and after the accident occurred. It is unknown whether the pilot obtained a weather briefing before the flight or was aware of the icing conditions. The airplane impacted a parking area surrounded by commercial buildings. A post-impact fire consumed most of the fuselage, cabin, and the left wing. Evidence at the accident site showed that the airplane impacted the ground in a near vertical nose down attitude on a south heading. No pre-impact anomalieswere observed with the airframe and flight controls. All flight instruments were consumed by the post-impact fire. Continuity of the engine drive was confirmed, and no pre-impact mechanical anomalies were found. Propeller blade damage was consistent with rotation at the time of impact. The airplane was not equipped with a de-icing system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60381](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60381-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 18281833, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (T)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182t) (registry code 2072703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ab1a5) (registry code 41808, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18281833
- Year built: 2006
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2019, 1,772 hours before
- Departed: HKS, Jaackson, MS
- Destination: SHV, Shreveport, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RSN, Ruston Regional Airport
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,703 total, 204 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Icing: Rime
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: RSN, 14 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 20200206002799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200206002799A), Feb 6, 2020: Cessna 182T, Chatham, LA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. On February 6, 2020, about 1413 central standard time, a Cessna 182 airplane, N60381, registered to an LLC, impacted the ground in Chatham, Louisiana. The…

## Docket (16 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 14, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100910. 242 MB in all.

- Weather study (item 1, PDF, 28 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9352066&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN20FA075%20-%20Chatham,%20LA-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record summary of weather study CEN20FA075 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13334730&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Summary%20of%20Weather%20Study%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- ATC specialist's factual report (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13179322&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN20FA075%20-%20ATC%20Specialists%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- ATC attachment 1 - opsvue track data (item 4, CSV, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13179147&FileExtension=csv&FileName=CEN20LA075%20-%20OpsVue%20Track%20Data-Rel.csv
- ATC attachment 2 - ATC audio transcript - partial (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13180222&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN20FA075%20-%20Attachment%202-Rel.pdf
- ATC attachment 3 - flight track graphics (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13179312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN20FA075%20-%20Attachment%203-Rel.pdf
- ATC attachment 4 - ATC audio - mlu-hr (item 7, WAV, 233 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13179631&FileExtension=wav&FileName=CEN20FA075%20-%20ATC%20Audio%20-%20MLU%20HR-Rel.wav
- Memorandum for the record airframe and accident site examination findings CEN20FA075 (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 454 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13334688&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Airframe%20and%20Accident%20Site%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record engine examination findings CEN20FA075 (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13335249&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Engine%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record pilot logbook review CEN20FA075 (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13334776&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Pilot%20Logbook%20Review%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record aircraft logbook review CEN20FA075 (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13334894&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Aircraft%20Logbook%20Review%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record history of flight CEN20FA075 (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13335347&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20History%20of%20Flight%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Toxicology report pilot CEN20FA075 (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13646897&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20Report%20Pilot%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Certificate of party representative Textron CEN20FA075 (item 14, PDF, 1 page, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13646006&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certificate%20of%20Party%20Representative%20Cessna%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Certificate of party representative Lycoming CEN20FA075 (item 15, PDF, 1 page, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13645807&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certificate%20of%20Party%20Representative%20Lycoming%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Release of wreckage NTSB form 6120.15 CEN20FA075 (item 16, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13646607&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Wreckage%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15%20CEN20FA075_Redacted-Rel.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.

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