# NTSB DEN91LA092: Cessna 182P, N21420, Albuquerque, NM, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1991, 06:17 local (12:17 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.060535, -106.620582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0605&lon=-106.6206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA092

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT.  FACTORS WERE:  A LOOSE OIL FILTER AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,lubrication - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - loose (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - loss,partial (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ALBUQUERQUE, NM, EN ROUTE TO REDLANDS, CA, VIA PRESCOTT, AZ.  AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED THROUGH 350 FEET, THE PILOT RETARDED THE PROPELLER CONTROL TO A CLIMB POWER SETTING.  THE TACHOMETER NEEDLE STARTED FLUCTUATING SO HE RETURNED THE PROPELLER CONTROL TO THE TAKEOFF POWER SETTING.  RPMS BEGAN TO DECAY, MAKING SUSTAINED FLIGHT IMPOSSIBLE.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROUGH FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED OIL STREAKING THE LENGTH OF THE AIRPLANE FROM A LOOSE OIL FILTER.  ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE LOGBOOK, THE OWNER PILOT CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21420](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21420-1994-02-04), registration cancelled 1994-02-04, S/N 18261629 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18261629
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Varek, Michael G., doing business as Happy Hoods
- Registered owner: Varek, Michael G.
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,559 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,559 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 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 19910629024919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910629024919A), Jun 29, 1991: Cessna 182P, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Tach and prop fluctuating on takeoff and power loss. Nosed over landing. Oil leaked out. Failed secure oil filter.

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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