# NTSB DEN91FA130: Cessna 182G, N3223S, Elida, NM, September 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1991, 09:12 local (14:12 UTC)
- Place: Elida, NM
- Coordinates: 33.939239, -103.650283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9392&lon=-103.6503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91FA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18035/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91FA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION FOR THE FLIGHT AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  A FACTOR WAS:  HEAVY FOG AND LOW CEILING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITHOUT A WEATHER BRIEFING OR FILING A FLIGHT PLAN.  AFTER TAKEOFF, AND WITHIN SEVERAL MILES OF THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. WITNESSES COULD HEAR THE AIRCRAFT FLYING OVERHEAD, BUT BECAUSE OF LOW CEILINGS AND HEAVY FOG THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE THE AIRCRAAFT.  THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE SOUND SUDDENLY STOPPED AND LATER, WHEN THE FOG LIFTED, THEY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE GROUND IN A NEARBY PASTURE WHERE THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BURNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3223S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3223S-1992-02-19), registration cancelled 1992-02-19, S/N 18255723 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255723
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Claude B. Mcafee
- Registered owner: Claude B. Mcafee
- Departed: Q34, PORTALES, NM
- Destination: ATS, ARTESIA, NM

## 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; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- 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 19910916040509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910916040509A), Sep 16, 1991: Cessna 182G, Elida, NM, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into near zero IMC. Lost control. High speed impact level field. Aircraft burned. No record IFR or hood time.

## Other investigations on N3223S (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 MIA69D0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0065), Jul 5, 1968: Cessna 182G (N3223S), Newberry, SC, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.