# NTSB DEN86FA246: Cessna 182D, N83F, Las Vegas, NM, September 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1986, 23:53 local (Sep 2, 1986, 05:53 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.589199, -105.220558 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5892&lon=-105.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA246

## 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 - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - hail (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED THE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, CORONADO ARPT, AT 2248 MDT, SEPTEMBER 1, 1986, EN ROUTE TO LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO. WHEN THE ACFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AS SCHEDULED, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE FLIGHT WAS LOST ON RADAR AT 2353 MDT, 15 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF LAS VEGAS. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT 1700 MDT ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1986. THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A 90 DEGREE LEFT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA 425 FEET LONG. WEATHER IN THE AREA WAS THUNDERSTORMS WITH RAIN SHOWERS AND HAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83F-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 18253539 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253539
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Denis T. Romero
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: LVS, LAS VEGAS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 868 total, 500 in this make and model, 682 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 28 knots, gusting 34
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS, 15 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 19860901042999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860901042999A), Sep 1, 1986: Cessna 182D, Las Vegas, NM, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The VFR pilot continued flight into an area of thunderstorms. Suspect loss of control during course reversal.

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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