# NTSB DEN91FA116: Cessna 182N, N76AM, Climax, CO, August 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1991, 11:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Climax, CO
- Location: 39.3689° N, 106.1836° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Climax, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3689&lon=-106.1836&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA116

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE NON-RATED PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - climb - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS STOLEN ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT BY A NON PILOT RATED PERSON.  THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT AND THE DESTINATION ARE UNKNOWN. THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM COLORADO SPRINGS AND FLEW A COURSE TO THE NORTHWEST AND EVENTUALLY INTO A BOX CANYON IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE PILOT PULL THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT UP STEEPLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO FLY OUT OF THE BOX CANYON. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED SUDDENLY AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76AM-2003-09-05), registration cancelled 2003-09-05, S/N 18260244, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18260244
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alfred M. Micallef, doing business as Micallef Klbnk Invest. Inc.
- Registered owner: Alfred M. Micallef
- Departed: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19910817034639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910817034639A), Aug 17, 1991: Cessna 182N, Climax, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stolen aircraft. Flew into box canyon. Observed pullup steeply to avoid terrain. Stalled. Crashed.

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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