# NTSB FTW94LA218: Cessna 182K, N2580Q, Collbran, CO, June 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 1994, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Collbran, CO - Coordinates: 39.229358, -107.950401 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2294&lon=-107.9504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19102 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19102/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA218 ## Probable cause AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE A PARTIALLY BLOCKED PITOT TUBE AND A DOWNDRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - blocked(partial) (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR DID NOT REGISTER DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND CLIMBOUT. SUSPECTING BUG BLOCKAGE, HE TURNED ON THE PITOT HEAT AND THE INDICATOR BEGAN REGISTERING SHORTLY THEREAFTER. AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A VALLEY, IT SUDDENLY ROLLED RIGHT AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN AND BURNED. THE PILOT WAS RESCUED 3 DAYS LATER. HE SAID HE SUSPECTED AN ERRONEOUS AIRSPEED INDICATION MAY HAVE LED TO AN INADVERTENT STALL. HE ALSO SAID HE FELT HE MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR. THE PILOT REFUSED TO RELEASE THE PITOT TUBE AND AIRSPEED INDICATOR TO FAA FOR EXAMINATION. ADDITIONALLY, A CAP PILOT SAID IT APPEARED TO HIM THE AIRPLANE HAD FORWARD MOMENTUM AT IMPACT. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 1994, approximately 0750 mountain daylight time, N2580Q, a Cessna 182K, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while maneuvering approximately 9 miles south of Collbran, Colorado. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report. During the takeoff roll, the pilot noticed the airspeed indicator was not registering airspeed. Suspecting an insect might be blocking the pitot tube, he turned on the pitot heat. Shortly thereafter, the airspeed indicator began registering what he considered to be his approximate airspeed. He flew over a ridge near the Bonham Reservoir, then banked left into a valley. The airplane suddenly rolled to the right, and full left rudder and down elevator input was insufficient to effect a recovery. The pilot described the event as a "violent stall never experienced previously in stall practice. No shudder or other warning noted. Did not hear stall horn... Possible wind shear?" The pilot also surmised the pitot tube blockage "locked high pressure in pitot causing erroneous high airspeed indication. The higher I went, the more airspeed was in error." The airplane was reported missing by the pilot's brother on June 29. The wreckage was located three days later, on July 2, and the pilot rescued. At that time, the Civil Air Patrol mission coordinator flew over the accident site and reported "the aircraft appeared to have forward momentum," and that "it did not look like it hit in one spot." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector arrived at the accident site as a salvage crew was preparing to recover the wreckage. He asked that the pitot tube, airspeed indicator, and associated tubing be sent to him for examination and the crew agreed. Later, it was learned that the owner went to the salvage company and insisted that these items be given to him. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2580Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2580Q-2018-02-07), registration cancelled 2018-02-07, S/N 18257780, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182K - Registry model: [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k) (registry code 2072724) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18257780 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Junak, Edward M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1993, 30 hours before - Departed: NONE, MESA, CO - Destination: 1V8, CENTER, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,980 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 11 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 30 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 19940629017399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940629017399A), Jun 29, 1994: Cessna 182K, Collbran, CO, Destroyed. No airspeed on takeoff. Suspected insect blocked. Put on pitot heat. Got indication but stalled. Blamed windshear. ## Other investigations on N2580Q (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 MKC69F0414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0414), Apr 18, 1969: Cessna 182 (N2580Q), Monticello, IA, substantial damage 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.