# NTSB DEN83FA091: Cessna 182H, N2971Y, Hayden, CO, April 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1983, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Hayden, CO
- Coordinates: 40.480987, -107.259284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4810&lon=-107.2593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA091

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft service - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - improper (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWERLINE AND CRASHED AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF BUT DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND DARK SMOKE CAME OUT. THE ACFT TURNED LEFT THEN STEEPLY RIGHT BEFORE HITTING THE POWER LINE. THIS ACFT WAS FLOWN 3 TIMES IN 1982 AND TWICE PRIOR TO THE DAY OF THE ACC IN 1983. THE LAST TIME THE ACFT WAS REFUELED WAS IN SEPT, 1982. THE ACFT WAS PARKED OUTDOORS. THE GAS CAP IN THE WING SHOWED AREAS OF RUST AND CORROSION PREVENTING A TIGHT SEAL. MOISTURE COULD LEAK INTO THE FUEL TANK FROM RAIN AND MELTINGSNOW. ON 4/11/83 THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK WAS EXAMINED BY CUTTING INTO IT. THE BLADDER WAS SEVERELY WRINKLED ON THE BOTTOM. THE WRINKLING PRODUCED POCKETS LARGE ENOUGH TO TRAP ABOUT 1 GALLON OF WATER. THIS WATER WOULD NOT REACH THE DRAIN SUMP WITH THE ACFT IN A LEVEL PARKED POSITION. THE NTSB HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO FAA CONCERNING WATER IN FUEL AND EVALUATION OF BLADDER TYPE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2971Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2971Y-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 18253971, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- 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: 18253971
- Airframe hours: 2505
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott John Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1982, 18 hours before
- Destination: 1V4, FORT COLLINS, CO
- Airport: HDN, Yampa Valley, runway 28, 6,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 238 total, 227 in this make and model, 217 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HDN, 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 19830406011219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830406011219A), Apr 6, 1983: Cessna 182E, Hayden, CO, Destroyed. Engine backfired and smoked on takeoff. Struck wires trying to return. Fueled and not flown 6 MO prior to accident.

## Other investigations on N2971Y (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 UNK65X0608](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0608), Nov 8, 1964: Cessna 182 (N2971Y), Grand Is, NE, 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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