# NTSB DEN90FA076: Cessna 182N, N92292, Caputa, SD, March 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1990, 09:22 local (16:22 UTC)
- Place: Caputa, SD
- Coordinates: 43.929031, -102.789344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9290&lon=-102.7893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA076

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, ACCUMULATION OF STRUCTURAL ICE AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE ADVERRSE WEATHER WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist
  - weather condition - icing conditions
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - wing - ice
  - stabilizer - ice
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING THREE PASSENGERS TO RAPID CITY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEW. HE RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE & AGAIN EN ROUTE, BOTH TIMES RECEIVING INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHT TO MODERATE ICING CONDITIONS AT HIS DESTINATION. THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS IN ICING CONDITIONS AS HE TURNED TO INTERCEPT THE ILS LOCALIZER. HE THEN RADIOED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A 'A SPIN AND A DIVE.' AN ON-SCENE EXAM REVEALED NUMEROUS LARGE PIECES OF CONTOURED ICE THAT MATCHED THE ROUNDED PORTION OF THE WING LEADING EDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92292](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92292-1992-08-19), registration cancelled 1992-08-19, S/N 18260133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18260133
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald L. Myers
- Registered owner: Richard M. Tackabury
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Destination: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RAP, Rapid City Rgnl, runway 32, 8,701 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAP, 6 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 19900322004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900322004999A), Mar 22, 1990: Cessna 182N, Rapid City, SD, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Operated into known icing in IMC airframe iced up on ILS approach. Loss control and spun in.

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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