# NTSB DEN99LA110: Cessna 182A, N6165B, Salt Lake City, UT, July 1, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1999, 16:06 local (22:06 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.810054, -111.94046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8101&lon=-111.9405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA110

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power (nonmechanical) for reasons undetermined.  Factors were the existence of conditions conducive to carburetor icing, and unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot had been receiving vectors for spacing around traffic.  When he was finally cleared to land, he was higher than traffic pattern altitude, and he slipped the airplane to dissipate excess altitude.  When he advanced the throttle, the engine did not respond.  An off-airport forced landing ensued.  The airplane collided with a curb, stop sign, bus sign, and fence.  The engine was later functionally tested and operated satisfactorily.  It was the opinion of an FAA aviation safety inspector that the power loss may have been due to the engine 'loading up.'  At the time of the accident, the airport temperature and dew point were 33 degrees C. (91.4 degrees F.) and 9 degrees C. (48.2 degrees F.), respectively.  According to the Carburetor Icing Probability Curve, light icing at glide and cruise power settings are possible under these conditions.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 1999, at 1606 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N6165B, owned and operated by McCullough Engineering, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The private pilot, the only 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 in Loa, Utah, approximately 1430.

According to the pilot's accident report, he had been receiving vectors for spacing around traffic.  When he was finally cleared to land, he was higher than traffic pattern altitude.  He decided to slip the airplane to dissipate some of the excess altitude.  At a point where he felt he was in the proper position to complete a  normal landing, he ended the slip and advanced the throttle.  The engine lost power and steps to restore power were unsuccessful.  The pilot made an off-airport forced landing.  The airplane struck the street curb which knocked off the nose landing gear, then collided with a stop sign, bus stop sign, and a fence, incurring extensive damage to the wings.  The airplane then skidded to a halt.

On July 20, 1999, the engine was functionally tested under the direction of an FAA aviation safety inspector-maintenance.  No discrepancies were noted.  The inspector opined that the power loss may have been due to the engine "loading up" when power was applied after a prolonged period of idle power.

Shortly after the accident, at 1620, the temperature and dew point at Salt Lake City International Airport were 33 degrees C. (91.4 degrees F.) and 9 degrees C. (48.2 degrees F.), respectively.

According to the Carburetor Icing Curve, light icing at glide and cruise power settings are possible.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6165B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6165B-2001-07-10), registration cancelled 2001-07-10, S/N 34165 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34165
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Mccullough
- Registered owner: Mccullough Engineering
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1999, 16 hours before
- Departed: 38U, LOA, UT
- Destination: SLC
- Airport: SLC, Salt Lake City Int'L, runway 32, 4,892 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 145 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC

## 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 19990701008019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990701008019A), Jul 1, 1999: Cessna 182A, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot declared a mayday on 3 mile final approach to rwy 32 and landed short of the rwy, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on July 1, 1999, at 1606…

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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