# NTSB DEN93LA095: Cessna 182Q, Pagosa Springs, CO, July 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1993, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Pagosa Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 37.240333, -107.030311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2403&lon=-107.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA095

## Probable cause

THE DECISION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO FLY AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN.  FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S ATTENTION BEING MOMENTARILY DIVERTED AND THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE BEING EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT ALTERED COURSE SLIGHTLY TO THE SOUTH TO AVOID A THUNDERSTORM AND BEGAN FOLLOWING A ROAD.  SOON THEREAFTER, THE ROAD DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT AND THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS MOMENTARILY DIVERTED OUTSIDE THE AIRPLANE. SHE THEN REALIZED THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS RISING FASTER THAN THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE.  SHE ELECTED NOT TO RISK TURNING AROUND BUT TO CONTINUE AHEAD AND LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE BRUSHED THE TOPS OF SEVERAL TREES.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED ONCE, SLID APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET BEFORE STRIKING A ROCK THAT SHEARED THE NOSEWHEEL, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGLIL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-66627
- Airframe hours: 2669
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Centennial Flight Centre, Ltd.
- Registered owner: Lilley, Dr. J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1993, 31 hours before
- Departed: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRGS, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,700 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

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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