# NTSB DEN84FA085: Cessna TR182, N737QE, Tappen, ND, February 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1984
- Place: Tappen, ND
- Coordinates: 46.869979, -99.619148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8700&lon=-99.6191&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): 16197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA085

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS BEFORE THE FLIGHT. DURING THE LAST BRIEFING AT 1350 MST, HE WAS INFORMED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. AT 1554 MST, THE ACFT DEPARTED CRYSTAL ARPT IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION. SEVERAL WITNESSES TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY STATED THAT THEY SAW A FLASHING LIGHT FROM A SMALL AIRPLANE WHICH WAS FLYING LOW & APPEARED TO BE FOLLOWING THE HIGHWAY. THEY REPORTED THAT THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR WHEN THEY FIRST SIGHTED THE ACFT. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER IT WENT OUT OF VIEW, THEY ENCOUNTERED BLINDING SLEET SNOW. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN OPEN FIELD AFTER IT HAD TURNED RIGHT OF COURSE. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WHILE ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 015 DEG. THE DIRECTION TO THE DESTINATION WAS APRX 270 DEG. THE ACFT WAS FOUND ON 2/6/84.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737QE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737QE-2003-08-12), registration cancelled 2003-08-12, S/N R18200872, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18200872
- Airframe hours: 268
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3CD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Strand
- Registered owner: Mountain Marketing Ass., Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983, 92 hours before
- Departed: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: DIK, DICKINSON, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840203002189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840203002189A), Feb 3, 1984: Cessna TR182, Tappen, ND, Destroyed. High speed impact and aircraft cartwheeled. Snow, sleet and high surface winds in area.

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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