# NTSB DEN83LA206: Cessna 182, N8739T, Grand Junction, CO, September 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1983, 18:04 local (Sep 2, 1983, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Coordinates: 39.080829, -108.49044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0808&lon=-108.4904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA206

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering
  - electrical system,electric wiring - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED THAT WHILE PRACTICING EMERGENCY LANDINGS, SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING INTO THE COCKPIT. SHE ALSO NOTICED A LOT OF HEAT NEAR HER LEGS. THINKING THAT THERE MIGHT BE A FIRE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIREWALL, THE CFI DECIDED TO LAND IN A CORN FIELD. THE CORN WAS 12 FT TALL & THE ACFT NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF SMOKE, HEAT OR FIRE WAS THAT THE WIRE LEAD FROM THE ELECTRICAL BUS BAR TO A RADIO WAS BURNED & MELTED AT THE END, AS WAS THE JUMPER WIRE BETWEEN THE BUS BARS. A SHOPOWNER AT THE ARPT STATED THAT THE JUMPER WIRE WAS UNDERSIZED & BECAME OVERLOADED CAUSING THE INSULATION TO BURN. THE CABIN HEATER VALVE WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE ON POSITION WHICH WOULD ALLOW ENGINE HEAT TO ENTER THE COCKPIT NEAR THE FLOOR LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8739T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8739T), registered now, S/N 52639, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52639
- Airframe hours: 243
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Moore
- Registered owner: Herrmann, Mondis L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1983, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 878 total, 45 in this make and model, 739 as pilot in command, 332 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 8 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 19830901064779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830901064779A), Sep 1, 1983: Cessna 182C, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after smoke was discovered coming from vicinity of firewall.

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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