# NTSB DEN89LA115: Cessna 182G, N3410S, St. Xavier, MT, May 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1989, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Xavier, MT
- Coordinates: 45.41093, -107.879898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4109&lon=-107.8799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA115

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO PISTON. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,piston - disintegrated (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS LOOKING FOR COWS ON HIS RANCH, AT 200 FT AGL, WITH 20 DEG FLAPS. THE PLT SAID HE FLEW THE ACFT THROUGH A LIGHT RAIN SHOWER. THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS, AND HE REDUCED PWOER. THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE AND HE ADDED POWER. THE ENGINE QUIT AND SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN. THE PLT SAID HE BANKED THE ACFT AND IT STALLED. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE WING STRUCK SAGE BRUSH AND THE ACFT NOSED DOWN. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE TEARDOWN PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT THE NUMBER TWO PISTON DISINTEGRATED. THE LOG BOOKS SHOWED THAT THE PISTON HAD BEEN IN SERVICE 662 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3410S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3410S), registered now, S/N 18255810, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255810
- Airframe hours: 3384
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Montana-Wyoming Systems, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bill Glasser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1988
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,425 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,425 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 40 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890503010749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890503010749A), May 3, 1989: Cessna 182G, St Xavier, MT, Substantial damage. While looking for lost cattle, engine failed at 200 ft AGL. Stall landed into severe wind, nose up. Cylinder broken

## Other investigations on N3410S (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 SEA79FTA20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTA20), Sep 19, 1979: Cessna 182G (N3410S), Billings, MT, 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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