# NTSB DEN83FA084: Cessna 182, N9377X, Huntsville, UT, March 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1983, 22:30 local (Mar 24, 1983, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, UT
- Coordinates: 41.279567, -111.690521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2796&lon=-111.6905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

THE AFCT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND CRASHED DURING A GO-AROUND. THE WEATHER WAS IMC AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND WAS TOLD THAT VFR FLT, ON HIS INTENDED ROUTE, WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS AND SNOW SHOWERS. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. HE INITIATED THE FLT ANYWAY AND ENCOUNTERED THE WEATHER IN A VALLEY NEAR HUNTSVILLE. HUNTSVILLE IS SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT CIRCLED THE HUNTSVILLE AREA FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR WHILE TALKING TO FSS AND THE SHERIFFS DEPT. THE WEATHER WAS DETERIORATING AND THE PILOTWAS TRYING TO LOCATE THE CAR LIGHTS ON THE LANDING STRIP SET UP BY THE SHERIFF. THE PILOT FOUND THE STRIP AND MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND. ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT HE TOUCHED DOWN. THE ACFT STARTED SWERVING ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND HE STARTED A GO-AROUND. THE ACFT WING HIT A LARGE TREE AND CRASHED 99 FT BEYOND THE TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9377X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9377X-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 18253777, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253777
- Airframe hours: 1406
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R25 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hill Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1982, 226 hours before
- Departed: EVW, EVANSTON, WY
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Airport: runway 5, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 488 total, 70 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD, 18 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 19830323009069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830323009069A), Mar 23, 1983: Cessna 182E, Huntsville, UT, Destroyed. Boxed in a mountain valley at night in heavy snow. Tried landing on a strip lit by vehicles. Hit tree on go around.

## Other investigations on N9377X (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN68D0050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68D0050), Jul 31, 1967: Cessna 182 (N9377X), Ogden, UT, substantial damage

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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