# NTSB DEN07CA047: Cessna 182G, N2185R, Lamar, CO, January 7, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2007, 19:10 local (Jan 7, 2007, 02:10 UTC) - Place: Lamar, CO - Coordinates: 38.049999, -103.510002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0500&lon=-103.5100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65123 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65123/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA047 ## Probable cause the pilot's inability to maintain directional control resulting in an impact with a snow bank. Contributing factors include the obscured runway lights, inoperative landing lights, and the pilot's improper decision to operate an airplane with known systems deficiencies. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor) - light condition - night - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway edge lights - foreign substance covered (contributing factor) - airport equipment,snow removal - inadequate ## Analysis Prior to the night landing, the pilot verified with an airport employee, that the runway lights were operational. During the landing flare to runway 26 the pilot lost visual contact with the runway due to the snow banks obscuring the runway lights. The airplane landed and veered off of the runway into the snow bank, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane or its systems. According to several witnesses, the pilot reported to them that his landing lights were not functional at the time of the landing. Several Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) had been issued prior to the accident. These addressed 4 foot snow banks on runway 8/26, 7 foot snow banks on runway 18/36 and no braking action on runway 18/36. After the accident the airport manager issued a NOTAM about obscured runway lights. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed Lamar the morning of the accident. According to the pilot, the runways in Lamar were snow packed to dry and snow banks 3 to 4 feet in height lined the edges of all runways. Prior to the night landing, the pilot verified with an airport employee, that the runway lights were operational. During the landing flare to runway 26 (5,001 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) the pilot lost visual contact with the runway due to the snow banks obscuring the runway lights. The airplane landed and veered off of the runway into the snow bank. The main landing gear separated, resulting in damage to the gearbox and a bent firewall. The pilot reported no anomalies with the airplane or its systems. According to the airport manager, the fixed base operator manager, and an airport employee, the pilot reported to them that his landing lights were not functional at the time of the landing. Several Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) had been issued for Lamar prior to the accident. These addressed 4 foot snow banks on runway 8/26, 7 foot snow banks on runway 18/36, and no braking action on runway 18/36. After the accident the airport manager issued a NOTAM with regards to obscured runway lights. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2185R (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255385 - Airframe hours: 6285 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2006 - Departed: COS, Colorado Sprngs, CO - Destination: LAA, Lamar, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LAA, Lamar Muni, runway 26, 5,001 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,434 total, 285 in this make and model, 1,347 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: LAA, 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 20070106000509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070106000509A), Jan 6, 2007: Cessna 182G, Lamar, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 6, 2007, the pilot [privacy data omitted] was on an IFR flight plan from Colorado springs, Colorado (cos) to Lamar, Colorado (laa) in a Cessna… 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.