# NTSB CEN23LA076: Cessna 182M, N71494, Council Bluffs, IA, January 5, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 5, 2023, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Council Bluffs, IA - Coordinates: 41.260111, -95.758639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2601&lon=-95.7586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106562/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106562 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA076 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Cessna 182M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072728), [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. - [Approach: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072728), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 182M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072728), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane’s engine did not respond to a commanded power increase while maneuvering for spacing due to aircraft traffic. He subsequently made a forced landing to a field. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the forward fuselage when it struck a terrace in the field. A postaccident engine run was conducted and although the test was limited due to the bent propeller, the engine exhibited no anomalies during the engine run. The possibility of carburetor icing existed based on the atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident, but the pilot stated that he had carburetor heat applied during the event. The carburetor heat system worked normally during the engine run. Based on the available information, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On January 5, 2023, about 1120 central standard time, a Cessna 182M airplane, N71494, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near, Council Bluffs, Iowa. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was flying to Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (CBF) to discuss having avionics work performed on the airplane. There was another airplane on a practice VOR-A instrument approach to CBF and the pilot recognized there was going to be a conflict, so he elected to perform a 360° turn to allow for increased spacing. At this time, he had the airplane configured with 10° flap, with the manifold pressure at 13 inches of mercury, and carburetor heat on. As the airplane entered the turn, he increased power to 17 inches of mercury and held his altitude at 1,900 ft msl. As the airplane completed about half of the 360° turn, he added power to maintain altitude and there was no response from the engine. The airplane was about 500 ft above ground level and the pilot stated that he did not have time to restart the engine. He said that he focused on locating a suitable landing area and controlling the airplane. The pilot stated that he did not turn off the carburetor heat during the turn or after the engine stopped producing power. There was about 38 gallons of fuel on-board the airplane and the fuel selector was on BOTH. The pilot executed a forced landing to a harvested soybean field. During the landing, the airplane struck a terrace in the field, which damaged the forward fuselage. After the accident a test run of the engine was conducted. The engine started normally and idled smoothly. Once warmed up, the engine was advanced to 1,500 rpm and the engine continued to run smoothly. A magneto check was performed indicating about 75 rpm drop on each magneto. The carburetor heat was activated and indicated a drop in rpm when applied. The engine rpm was not advanced above 1,500 rpm due to concerns about the bent propeller. The weather conditions at the time of the accident included a temperature of -1° C, and dewpoint of -7° C. These were in a range for potential carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71494](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71494), registered now, S/N 18259643, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182M - Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18259643 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 3220 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Neverland LLC - Registered owner: Neverland LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 2022 - Departed: RDK, Red Oak, IA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: CBF, Council Bluffs Muni - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review June 10, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 489 total, 400 in this make and model, 489 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KCBF - METAR: METAR KCBF 051755Z AUTO 33012KT 10SM CLR M01/M07 A3005 RMK AO2= ## 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 20230105000629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230105000629A), Jan 5, 2023: Cessna 182M, Council Bluffs, IA, Substantial damage. C182 [privacy data omitted] was configured at low power setting with carb heat on as it neared the traffic pattern at cbf. The pilot initiated a 360 degree… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106562. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15066315&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20report1-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation with pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15066960&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20with%20pilot-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15067099&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf - Engine test run notes (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15067527&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20with%20FAA-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. --- 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.