# NTSB CEN23LA263: Cessna 182G, N3289S, Gunnison, CO, June 23, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 23, 2023, 08:17 local (14:17 UTC)
- Place: Gunnison, CO
- Coordinates: 38.447, -107.476
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4470&lon=-107.4760&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192455/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192455
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA263

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to fly into an area of unsuitable terrain which the airplane was unable to exit, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Knowledge: knowledge of geographic area](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/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 182G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that she had been checked out in the accident airplane that morning and this was only her second flight in the same type. She stated that she and three passengers were sightseeing in a canyon that began to narrow. As the flight progressed, she was unable to climb out of the canyon and stalled the airplane. During the stall recovery, the airplane impacted trees and terrain; a postcrash fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3289S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3289S), registered now, S/N 18255789, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255789
- Year built: 1964
- Airframe hours: 10619
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Double Lazy H LLC
- Registered owner: Double Lazy H LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 22, 2022
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 300 total, 2 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KGUC, 26 nm away
- METAR: KGUC 231456Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/M01 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP147 T01171011 58001

## 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 20230623006859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230623006859A), Jun 23, 2023: Cessna 182G, Gunnison, CO, Destroyed. While taking a part 91 flight to see the sights in the area around delta, CO, pilot states they planned to fly along the Gunnison river and see the canyon.…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192455. 23.4 MB in all.

- FAA inspector's statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15918443&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15918859&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 17 pages, 21.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15919048&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Combined%20Maintenance%20Records_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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