# NTSB DEN93LA057: Cessna 182N, N773JB, Durango, CO, May 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1993, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270839, -107.880538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2708&lon=-107.8805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA057

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL.  A FACTOR WAS:  DOWNDRAFTS AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OBSERVED SCATTERED CLOUDS, VIRGA, RAIN AND LIGHTNING APPROACHING WHEN HE WAS 10 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT, AND UNICOM ADVISED THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 20 KNOTS.  THE AIRPLANE ENTERED PRECIPITATION AND ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, BUT THE PILOT RECOVERED BY APPLYING MODERATE ENGINE POWER AND REMAINING HIGH AND FAST.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE CONTINUED HIS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 1, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A VERTICAL WIND SHEAR AND LOST SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET.  THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS BELOW THE AIRPORT ELEVATION (THE AIRPORT SITS ATOP A MESA), AND HE ADDED FULL POWER AND PULLED THE NOSE UP.  THE AIRPLANE CLEARED BOULDERS AND TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE MESA, THEN THE STALL WARNING SOUNDED.  TWO PASSENGERS AND A WITNESS SAID THE AIRPLANE STALLED.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND SLID 30 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A HALT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N773JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N773JB-1994-07-19), registration cancelled 1994-07-19, S/N 18260610 (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: 18260610
- Airframe hours: 6289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gregg Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gregg Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 18, 1992, 78 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: 5CO0
- Airport: 5CO0, Animas Air Park, runway 1, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 331 total, 144 in this make and model, 331 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19930513013439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930513013439A), May 13, 1993: Cessna 182N, Durango, CO, Destroyed. Encountered gusty wind landing. Too slow nose high stalled and impacted runway nose first.

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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