# NTSB CEN21LA404: Cessna 182, N9114W, Delta, CO, September 3, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 3, 2021, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Delta, CO · Hay field near 1524 road and I road in Delta, CO.
- Coordinates: 38.772859, -108.07639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7729&lon=-108.0764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Salt Lake City FSDO, Textron Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA404
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103811/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103811
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA404

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power that resulted in a forced landing and subsequent noseover. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.

## Findings

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

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the commercial skydiving operation was completing the 8th flight of the day. During the jump run, the pilot had partial carburetor heat applied. The skydivers egressed from the airplane, and the pilot initiated the descent to land back at the airport by reducing the power and applying full carburetor heat. She maneuvered the airplane onto the final approach and applied full power with no response from the engine. The pilot then manipulated the throttle to no avail and performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane came to rest inverted and was recovered a week later from the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident engine run was performed with no anomalies noted. During the recovery operation, 1 quart of fuel was recovered from the airplane, and both fuel tanks were found intact. On the airplane make and model, it is possible for fuel to drain out through the left-wing fuel tank vent tube if the airplane is sitting inverted for a period of time. A review of meteorological data showed that at the time of the accident, the airplane was likely operating in conditions conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing for glide power settings; however, the pilot reported using carburetor heat during the descent. The airframe manufacturer has published guidance stating that with certain flight maneuvers, such as prolonged uncoordinated flight or sideslips, the fuel may move away from the fuel tank supply outlet and if the outlet becomes uncovered, fuel flow to the engine may be interrupted and a temporary loss of engine power may result. Based on the available evidence, it could not be determined what caused the total loss of engine power.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 2021, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182D airplane, N9114W, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Delta, Colorado. The pilot sustained no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 commercial skydiving flight. The airplane was operating as part of a commercial skydiving operation, Ultimate Skydiving Adventures, LLC, based at the Blake Field Airport (AJZ), Delta, Colorado. The pilot was completing the 8th flight of the day and the airplane was refueled with 15 gallons of fuel after the first four flights. To be set up on the jump run at 14,000 ft msl, the pilot applied partial carburetor heat, closed the cowl flaps, reduced power to 15 inches of manifold pressure, and set the RPM for 2,200. Once all the skydivers egressed from the airplane, she applied full carburetor heat and “pulled the throttle back.” The airplane descended at 120 mph and the pilot performed a “wide arc” to be setup for a long final approach, as she normally did. Around 8,000 ft msl, she initiated a turn onto final and started to apply a “little power.” She noticed that the power application didn’t sound normal. As she completed the turn onto the final approach around 7,000 ft msl, she applied full power and there was no response from the engine. She established an 80-mph glide and pushed the mixture full rich and the propeller full in. She manipulated the throttle and pushed the carburetor in and pulled it out again, with a “tiny sputter” occurring. The pilot decided she would be unable to make it back to AJZ due to the total loss of engine power. She located a flat, open hay field, and performed a forced landing. During the landing roll on the soft, wet mud, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sat inverted in the field for a week before it was recovered. During the recovery operation, 1 quart of fuel was recovered from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings; however, both fuel tanks were found intact. On airplane make and model, it is possible for fuel to drain out through the left wing fuel tank vent tube (there is only one fuel tank vent tube on this model) if the airplane is sitting inverted for a period. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident engine run was performed with no anomalies noted. A review of meteorological data showed that at the time of the accident, the airplane was likely operating in conditions conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing for glide power settings. The Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Parachute Association have created an educational document, Flying For Skydive Operations P-8740-62. This document provides guidance for pilots on the descent portion of a skydivingflight and states in part: Use carburetor heat during descent; Cessnas are susceptible to carburetor ice. At any point, the aircraft should be in a position to glide to the airport if necessary. Keep a tight traffic pattern. The aircraft should be able to glide to the airport in the event of a power loss. Textron Aviation has published the Pilot Safety and Warning Supplements. This educational document provides guidance for pilots on the management of fuel systems and states in part: The shape of most airplane wing fuel tanks is such that, in certain flight maneuvers, the fuel may move away from the fuel tank supply outlet. If the outlet is uncovered, fuel flow to the engine may be interrupted and a temporary loss of power might result. Pilots can prevent inadvertent uncovering of the tank outlet by having adequate fuel in the tank selected and avoiding maneuvers such as prolonged uncoordinated flight or sideslips which move fuel away from the feed lines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9114W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9114W-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 18253219, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (D)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253219
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 4521.73
- Engines: Continental Motors O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: Paper Plane LLC, doing business as Ultimate Skydiving Adventures, LLC
- Registered owner: Paper Plane LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2021
- Departed: AJZ, Delta, CO
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 576 total, 95 in this make and model, 518 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observed at: KAJZ, 1 nm away
- METAR: KAJZ 031755Z AUTO 7SM CLR 25/12 A3016 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE T02530122 10253 20155 PWINO

## 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 20210903016979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210903016979A), Sep 3, 2021: Cessna 182D, Delta, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed ajz with skydivers on board. After the skydivers left the aircraft the pilot was returning to ajz. In descent the pilot reported that she…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 24, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103811. 179 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 116 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13384195&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 12 pages, 9.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13383596&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- N9114W engine test run - NTSB video footage (.mov file) (item 3, MOV, 36.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13384290&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=N9114W%20Engine%20Test%20Run%20-%20NTSB%20Video%20Footage-Rel.MOV
- Additional documents (item 4, PDF, 25 pages, 17.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13455451&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Additional%20Documents%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB party member form - Textron aviation (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13383896&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Member%20Form%20Redacted-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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