# NTSB DEN85FA225: Cessna 182J, N3336F, Torrington, WY, August 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1985, 21:15 local (Aug 19, 1985, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Torrington, WY
- Coordinates: 42.059722, -104.180511 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0597&lon=-104.1805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA225

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD A LIMITATION ON HER CERTIFICATE THAT PROHIBITED FLIGHT AT NIGHT. THE FLT WAS CONDUCTED AT NIGHT AND WHILE ENROUTE THE PLT DIVERTED TO THE TORRINGTON ARPT. THE RWY IS EQUIPPED WITH PLT ACTIVATED LGTS. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT CIRCLED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE LND LGT ON AS IF TO LAND. THE ACFT CRASHED SHORT OF RWY 28. THE TERRAIN EAST OF THE RWY IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER. THE RWY LIGHTS HAD NOT BEEN OPERATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3336F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3336F-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 18257336, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182J
- Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18257336
- Airframe hours: 1965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bob D. & Mary Lou Buffing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: ECS, NEW CASTLE, WY
- Destination: LAR, LARAMIE, WY
- Airport: TOR, Torrington Muni, runway 28, 5,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850818039499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850818039499A), Aug 18, 1985: Cessna 182J, Torrington, WY, Substantial damage. Impacted ground while circling the runway. Was trying to activate runway lights with radios set to wrong frequency.

## Other investigations on N3336F (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 MKC74DTG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DTG10), Oct 17, 1973: Cessna 182 (N3336F), Jamestown, ND, 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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