# NTSB DEN99LA032: Cessna 182M, N555NP, Longmont, CO, January 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 16, 1999, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.169059, -105.109535 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1691&lon=-105.1095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45620 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45620/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA032 ## Probable cause The pilot's poor judgment by intentionally buzzing. A factor was an unfavorable wind that caused inadequate altitude/clearance to maneuver and avoid nearby houses. ## Analysis The pilot said he made arrangements with a friend to observe the airplane in slow flight. At an altitude of 500 feet agl (above ground level), the pilot reduced power, added flaps, and approached his residence. The light east-northeast wind increased in velocity as he turned, causing the airplane to 'sink' and turn left. The pilot 'attempted to [turn] with no effect.' He said the airplane was equipped with a Wren STOL conversion, which made the controls 'very hard and slow. As [the airplane] was configured, it is very difficult whenever the wind is not on the nose.' The pilot said he had lost considerable altitude and could not maneuver because of his proximity to houses and other structures. He intentionally 'put [the airplane] on the ground.' A witness observed the airplane twice descend 'at a rapid rate of speed,' then make 'a steep ascent back into the air.' The airplane banked 'at a 65 degree angle' and seemed to 'pivot.' The witness 'did not see, at any time, the plane's wings dip as if it were fighting winds.' The pilot told a sheriff's deputy that 'a crosswind pushed him to the ground.' ## Factual narrative On January 16, 1999, approximately 1315 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182M, N555NP, registered to Summerfield Aviation, was destroyed when it collided with terrain in Longmont, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Raton, New Mexico, approximately 1100. According to the pilot's accident report, he had made previous arrangements with a friend to observe the airplane in slow flight as the pilot flew over [the pilot's] residence at low altitude. At an altitude of 500 feet agl (above ground level), the pilot reduced power, added flaps, and approached his residence. He said the light east-northeast wind increased in velocity as he banked from a northwest to a west heading, causing the airplane "to sink and [turn] south." He "attempted to steer out of a westerly [heading] with no effect." The pilot said that the airplane was equipped with a Wren STOL conversion, which made the controls "very hard and slow. As [the airplane] was configured, it is very difficult whenever the wind is not on the nose." The pilot said he had lost considerable altitude and could not maneuver because of his proximity to houses and other structures. He intentionally "put [the airplane] on the ground." The airplane's tail struck the ground first. The airplane crossed a ditch, struck a telephone pole, and skidded across a road. A witness driving near the accident site observed the airplane twice descend "at a rapid rate of speed," then make "a steep ascent back into the air." The airplane banked "at a 65 degree angle" and seemed to "pivot." The witness added, "I did not see, at any time, the plane's wings dip as if it were fighting winds. . .I feel the pilot. . .exhibited very poor judgment and endangered other drivers who were on [the road]. . .I estimate there were 8 cars on the road at the time he crashed." According to the Boulder County Sheriff's report (S99842), the pilot said he was "flying low over his residence. . .at a slow speed with his 'flaps down' when a crosswind pushed him to the ground." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - inadequate (contributing factor) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N555NP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555NP-2000-09-21), registration cancelled 2000-09-21, S/N 18259498, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182M - Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18259498 - Airframe hours: 2027 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Summerfield Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1998, 142 hours before - Departed: NONE, RATON, NM - Destination: 2V2, CO - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,562 total, 1,562 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 80 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 16 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 19990116000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990116000489A), Jan 16, 1999: Cessna 182M, Longmont, CO, Destroyed. The pilot was to make a low approach in front of his home when he lost control of the acft and crashed onto a street in front of his home. Other circumstances… 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.