# NTSB DEN85FA203: Cessna C-182, N5642B, La Salle, CO, July 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1985, 07:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: La Salle, CO
- Coordinates: 40.340415, -104.700408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3404&lon=-104.7004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA203

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, atc personnel(fss) (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS GIRLFRIEND T/O FROM A PVT AIRFIELD NORTH OF DENVER CO IN A C182 IN HEAVY FOG CONDITIONS. THE PILOT WAS NOT INST RATED. SHORTLY AFTER T/O THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND AND WAS DESTROYED. BOTH OCCUPANTS REC'D FATAL INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5642B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5642B-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 33642, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33642
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott R. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 1984
- Departed: 11V, LA SALLE, CO
- Destination: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Airport: Valley View

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 198 total, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °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 19850730035039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850730035039A), Jul 30, 1985: Cessna 182, Lasalle, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot took off in IFR conditions and crashed nearby shortly thereafter. Lost control in fog on climbout.

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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