# NTSB DEN89LA182: Cessna 182C, N9038T, Weston, CO, July 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1989, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Weston, CO
- Coordinates: 37.130844, -105.010498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1308&lon=-105.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA182

## Probable cause

WATER IN THE FUEL AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE DITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLTS WERE MOVING THE ACFT TO THE OWNER'S RANCH STRIP. ONE OF THE PLTS RPRTD THAT ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE NEAR THE STRIP. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DITCH & NOSED OVER. THE OWNER RPRTD THAT WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING A POST ACDNT INSPN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9038T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9038T-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 52938, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182C
- Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52938
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bernard Parsons
- Departed: TAD, TRINIDAD, CO
- Airport: Parsons Ranch, runway 27, 3,400 × 55 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 300 total, 100 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890720029939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890720029939A), Jul 20, 1989: Cessna 182C, Weston, CO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final,landed off side of grass strip, hit a hole and nosed over. Post accident checked water in fuel

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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