# NTSB DEN83FA071: Cessna 182Q, N96460, Lake Powell, UT, March 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1983, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Powell, UT
- Coordinates: 37.270835, -112.230972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2708&lon=-112.2310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA071

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO FLY ERRATICALLY BEFORE PLUNGING INTO THE LAKE DURING AN LANDING ATTEMPT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A HISTORY OF PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD LEAD TO 'A CONVULSIVE EPISODE WITH ACCOMPANIED LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.' AN EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO AN INTERNALLY SHORTED CONDENSER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N96460 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266727
- Airframe hours: 533
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bradley Blair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1982, 126 hours before
- Departed: QV7, KAYENTA, AZ
- Destination: U22, GLEN CANYON, UT
- Airport: U22, Halls Crossing, runway 16, 3,400 × 65 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F

## 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 19830306006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830306006159A), Mar 6, 1983: Cessna 182Q, Glen Canyon, UT, Substantial damage. Observed flying erratically then dived into lake. Pilots medical condition susceptible to seizures and blackouts.

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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