# NTSB DEN90LA153: Cessna 182, N5665B, Miles City, MT, July 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1990, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Miles City, MT
- Coordinates: 46.219902, -105.600181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2199&lon=-105.6002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA153

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING DESCENT FOR LANDING, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - uphill

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT DESCENDED FROM 10,000 TO 3,600 FEET FOR LANDING. HE SAID HE EXTENDED THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR DEPARTING TRAFFIC AND AFTER TURNING FINAL, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART TO NO AVAIL. THE PLANE STRUCK A FENCE AND LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY INTO A STEEP GRAVEL BANK. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FOLDED UNDER THE FUSELAGE AND THE CABIN WAS CRUSHED. THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK STATES 'APPLY FULL (CARBURETOR) HEAT BEFORE CLOSING THROTTLE.' THE PILOT SAID HE USED CARBURETOR HEAT AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT, TO ATTEMPT THE RESTART. THE PLANE'S CO-OWNER SAID THIS ENGINE WAS PRONE TO LOAD UP DURING LONG DESCENTS, AND 'WOULD NOT TAKE THROTTLE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5665B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5665B-1992-08-12), registration cancelled 1992-08-12, S/N 33665 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33665
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Glen Wash, doing business as Flying W Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: MLS
- Airport: MLS, Frank Wiley, runway 30, 5,602 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,987 total, 224 in this make and model, 1,937 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 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 19900706028369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900706028369A), Jul 6, 1990: Cessna 182, Miles City, MT, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Landed short. Engine prone to loading up.

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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