# NTSB DEN85FA019: Cessna TR182RG, N5543T, Milan, NM, October 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1984, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Milan, NM
- Coordinates: 35.179637, -107.889533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1796&lon=-107.8895&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): 16511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA019

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED FARMINGTON,NM IN THE EARLY MORNING DARKNESS EN ROUTE TO GRANTS, NM. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE ROCK FACE OF A 8399-FOOT MESA AT ABOUT THE 8150-FOOT LEVEL. ACCORDING TO ONE LOCAL RESIDENT, WEATHER AT THAT TIME CONSISTED OF A LOW CEILING, POOR VISIBILITY AND MODERATE SNOWFALL. THE INTRUMENT-RATED PILOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFINGBUT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5543T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18201892
- Airframe hours: 3880
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Four States Communications Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1984, 718 hours before
- Departed: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Destination: GNT, GRANTS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,685 total, 122 in this make and model, 2,480 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP

## 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 19841023058579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841023058579A), Oct 23, 1984: Cessna TR182, Milan, NM, Destroyed. Aircraft struck rock face of mesa at 8150 foot level. VFR flight into IFR conditions. Icing forecast in clouds.

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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