# NTSB DEN85LA064: Cessna 182Q, N759WB, Wapiti, WY, January 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1985, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Wapiti, WY
- Coordinates: 44.470138, -109.429214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4701&lon=-109.4292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA064

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not identified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AS SHE WAS FLYING HER AIRCRAFT IN A CANYON SHE ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS WHICH PUSHED HER AIRCRAFT DOWN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HER AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE AND ELECTED TO PUT THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759WB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N759WB-2021-08-07), registration cancelled 2021-08-07, S/N 18266308 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266308
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-4 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Micheal Palmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1984
- Departed: COD, CODY, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 198 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 10 °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 19850114000859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850114000859A), Jan 14, 1985: Cessna 182Q, Wapiti, WY, Destroyed. Flew into canyon and unable to climb out. Landed in trees. Pilot had no mountain flying experience.

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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