# NTSB DEN93LA065: Cessna 182A, N2131G, Stratton, CO, June 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1993, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Stratton, CO
- Coordinates: 39.299041, -102.600311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2990&lon=-102.6003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA065

## Probable cause

THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.  A FACTOR WAS:  MISJUDGING THE DETERIORATING WEATHER.

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - terrain condition - wet
  - terrain condition - soft
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE WEATHER DETERIORATED AND THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD.  THE ROAD WAS WET, SOFT, AND MUDDY, AND DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE ROAD AND IMPACTED IN A ROADSIDE DITCH.  THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEF ONE HOUR PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.  THE WEATHER BRIEF FORECAST THE WEATHER TO BE VFR ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT AND TO REMAIN VFR FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS AFTER ARRIVAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2131G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2131G-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 51431, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51431
- Airframe hours: 1418
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trimmer, Marvin E.
- Registered owner: Trimmer, Marvin E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1993, 6 hours before
- Departed: LHX, LA JUNTA, CO
- Destination: LIC, LIMON, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 426 total, 191 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHX, 125 nm away

## 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 19930603020959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930603020959A), Jun 3, 1993: Cessna 182A, Stratton, CO, Substantial damage. Unforecast weather closed in en route. Landed on a road,ran off side of road and nosed up in mud.

## Other investigations on N2131G (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 CEN09CA519](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA519), Jul 31, 2009: Cessna 182A (N2131G), Watertown, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of a fuel tank leak. Contributing to the accident was the reported malfunction of the fuel gauge.

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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