# NTSB DEN00LA059: Cessna 182P, N8236M, Rifle, CO, March 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 2000, 06:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Rifle, CO - Coordinates: 39.530323, -107.770835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5303&lon=-107.7708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48851 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48851/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA059 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane had just taken off from runway 26, was about two-thirds the way down the runway, and had climbed to 300 to 400 feet above the ground when the engine lost power. When the pilot switched the fuel pump to HIGH BOOST, power returned momentarily (2 to 5 seconds) and then was lost again. The pilot made a forced landing in the dirt median between the east and westbound lanes of an interstate highway. Disassembly and inspection of the engine disclosed no anomalies. The airplane was equipped with a Continental IO-470-F fuel injected engine, rated at 260 horsepower, in accordance with STC (supplemental type certificate) SA3825SW. The STC holder offered three scenarios that could result in a power loss: (1) Previous induction fires could weaken the duct containing the alternate air door which could become loose and block air to the engine. (2) Taking off with the fuel selector in the off position. (3) A loose line in the fuel system would allow air to be introduced, manifested by fluctuations on the fuel pressure gauge. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2000, approximately 0640 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182P, N8236M, owned and operated by Frances Dittmer Projects, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Rifle, Colorado. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the positioning flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Rifle at 0631. According to the pilot's accident report, the airplane had just taken off from runway 26, was about 2/3 the way down the runway, and had climbed to 300 to 400 feet above the ground when the engine lost power. When the pilot switched the fuel pump to HIGH BOOST, power returned momentarily (2 to 5 seconds) and then was lost again. The pilot made a forced landing in the dirt median (between the east and westbound lanes) of Interstate Highway 70 at mile post 93. The nose and right main landing gears were sheared off, and the right wing was damaged. When FAA inspectors arrived on scene, the airplane had been moved off the highway and had been transported back to the airport and secured. On May 24, 2000, the engine was disassembled and inspected under FAA supervision. According to the FAA airworthiness inspector's report, there was some gasket material in the oil sump and screen; otherwise, no anomalies were noted. The engine-driven fuel pump and fuel injection manifold tested satisfactory. N8236M was equipped with a Continental IO-470-F fuel injected engine, rated at 260 horsepower, in accordance with STC (supplemental type certificate) SA3825SW. In a letter from the type certificate holder, he indicated there were two ways engine power could be lost: (1) "If, due to overpriming, an induction fire/fires should occur, it could weaken the duct that contains the alternate air door. This in turn could cause a failure of the alternate air door with the potential of the door becoming loose and blocking air to the engine." (2) "...trying to take off with the fuel selector in the off position. While there is not enough fuel in the system to allow a pilot to start the airplane, taxi, do a runup, and depart, there might be enough to get airborne if it was shut off just prior to the take off roll." In a telephone conversation with the certificate holder, he said the fuel reservoir (or header tank) was in line and on the opposite side of the fuel selector valve. He proffered another scenario: (3) A loose line in the fuel system would allow air to be introduced, manifested by fluctuations on the fuel pressure gauge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8236M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8236M), registered now, S/N 18264569, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18264569 - Airframe hours: 2947 - Engines: Continental IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frances Dittmer Projects, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: RIL, RIFLE, CO - Destination: ASE, ASPEN, CO - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: RIL, Garfield County Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,870 total, 460 in this make and model, 6,466 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RIL, 1 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 20000314009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000314009379A), Mar 14, 2000: Cessna 182P, Rifle, CO, No damage. (-23)The aircraft departed runway at 0630 with engine power, and temperatures indicating normal. Shortly after rotation, at about 300-400 feet, the engine… 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.