# NTSB DEN84LA150: Cessna 182M, N71429, Nucla, CO, May 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1984, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Nucla, CO
- Coordinates: 38.260223, -108.549827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2602&lon=-108.5498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

PLT STATED, 'I MADE ONE PASS ON LOW BOUNDRY SPREADING 100% OF SEED AND BEGAN A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TO MAKE A PASS FROM HIGH SIDE DOWN EAST BOUNDRY. I REACHED ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 FT AGL (ABOVE GROUND LEVEL) AND ATTEMPTED TO PASS OVER TELEPHONE DRAW RIDGE WHEN I ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWN DRAFT. I APPLIED FULL CLIMB POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN TO LOWER GROUND BUT WAS UNABLE TO OVERCOME SINK AND CLEAR TERRAIN. I THEN FLARED THE PLANE TO A LANDING ALTITUDE JUST BEFORE TOUCHING DOWN TO MINIMIZE SPEED AND DAMAGE. I DON'T RECALL MUCH AFTER IMPACT BUT INDICATIONS ARE THAT LEFT WING AND MAIN STRUCK FIRST CAUSING 180 DEGREE COUNTER CLOCKWISE ROTATION, THEN TAIL STRUCK AND COLLAPSED LETTING PLANE LAND ON BACK ON TOP OF TAIL.' DENSITY ALT OVER THE 6700 FT MSL TERRAIN WAS 9205 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71429](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71429-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 18259618, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182M
- Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259618
- Airframe hours: 2129
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James L. Pugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1983, 246 hours before
- Departed: 6V6, NUCLA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 338 total, 175 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19840512019339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840512019339A), May 12, 1984: Cessna 182M, Nucla, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered downdraft and crashed attempting to clear ridge while seeding burned forest 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.