# NTSB DEN85FA035: Cessna 182H, N8580S, Provo, UT, December 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1984, 18:30 local (Dec 2, 1984, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Provo, UT
- Location: 40.0480° N, 111.5488° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from PROVO MUNI (PVU), within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0480&lon=-111.5488&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, check pilot (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE LEFT SEAT NON-INSTRUMENT PVT PLT WAS BEING CHECKED OUT IN THE FLYING CLUB ACFT BY A COMM PLT. THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN OVER UTAH LAKE ON A DARK NIGHT, ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 31 AT THE PVU ARPT. WHILE ON FINAL, THE FLYING PLT MANUEVERED THE ACFT FOR SPACING FROM A SECOND ACFT. A WITNESS SAW TWO ACFT OVER THE LAKE. ONE AIRCRAFT WAS TURNING TOWARDS THE AIRPORT WHEN IT WENT STRAIGHT DOWN. POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED ACFT CONTACTED THE WATER IN A LEFT WING, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN TO THE NORTHWEST WEST AND SOUTH PROVIDE NO SIGNIFICANT LIGHTING THAT COULD BE USED FOR VISUAL HORIZON REFERENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8580S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8580S-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 18256680, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18256680
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Provo Squadron Pilots Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PROVO, UT
- Airport: PVU, Provo Municipal, runway 31, 7,094 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Observed at: PVU, 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 19841201064149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841201064149A), Dec 1, 1984: Cessna 182H, Provo, UT, Destroyed. Crashed into lake while doing 360 for traffic. Unable to determine PIC. May have been using auto fuel. Dark night.

## Other investigations on N8580S (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 DEN66F0342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0342), May 28, 1966: Cessna 182 (N8580S), Salt Lake City, UT, 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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