# NTSB DEN89FA149: Cessna 182P, N7248N, Steamboat Sprg., CO, April 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1989, 12:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Steamboat Sprg., CO
- Coordinates: 40.490322, -106.830123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4903&lon=-106.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA149

## Probable cause

THE PLT'S FAILURE TO DISCONTINUE THE VFR FLIGHT WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED IMC; AND THE PLT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## 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 - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO, VFR, EN ROUTE TO FT. COLLINS, CO, ALONG THE RADIAL OF V-101. THE PLT DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN. THE PLT WAS FLYING TO FT. COLLINS TO TAKE A 14 CFR 135 CHECK RIDE WITH THE FAA. THE EN ROUTE TERRAIN WAS MOUNTAINOUS WITH ELEVATIONS BETWEEN 10,000 AND 13,500 FT AND THE WEATHER WAS DESCRIBED AS IMC WITH MTN TOP OBSCURATIONS. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ARRIVE AT DESTINATION AND AN EXTENSIVE AIR AND GND SEARCH DID NOT LOCATE THE AIRPLANE. TWO MONTHS AFTER AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED MISSING, WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES SOUTH OF INTENDED ROUTE OF FLT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 13,000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7248N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7248N-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 18263039, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263039
- Airframe hours: 3975
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-RCS 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Steamboat Springs Aviation, doing business as Steamboat Aviation
- Registered owner: H And H Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: SBS, STEAMBOAT SPRGS, CO
- Destination: FNL, FT. COLLINS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,150 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast

## 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 19890405009719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890405009719A), Apr 5, 1989: Cessna 182P, Estes Park, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into side of cloud obscured mountain. No record of weather briefing. Pilot en route for atco 135 test.

## Other investigations on N7248N (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 CHI75FEE28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEE28), Oct 31, 1974: Cessna 182P (N7248N), Chicago, IL, 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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