# NTSB FTW98LA177: Cessna 182E, N3086Y, Las Cruces, NM, April 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 1998, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.329666, -106.749687 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3297&lon=-106.7497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20574 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20574/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA177 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of (or failure to use) carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Related factors were: the carburetor icing (weather) conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot said he made several turns in preparation to returning to the airport to perform some touch-and-go landings. At 6,500 feet msl, the engine lost power, and efforts to restore power were unsuccessful. The pilot attempted to land on a road, but the airplane struck a mesquite bush and nosed over. Later, the engine was functionally tested, and it operated normally. The pilot surmised that the engine had lost power due to carburetor ice. Thirty-four minutes before the accident, the temperature and dew point at El Paso International Airport (elevation 3,956 feet), located approximately 30 miles southeast, was 9 degrees and -3 degrees C. (48.2 and 26.6 degrees F.), respectively. According to the carburetor icing probability charts, these conditions were conducive to serious icing at glide power, and approached a moderate icing realm at cruise power. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 1988, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N3086Y, operated by Mesilla Valley Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing 6 miles south of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The private pilot in command and flight instructor-rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Las Cruces approximately 15 minutes before the mishap. Information from the FAA indicates the airplane had received scheduled maintenance, and the pilot was checking for proper operating parameters. According to the pilot's accident report, he had made several turns in preparation to returning to the airport to perform some touch and go landings. At 6,500 feet msl, the engine lost power, and efforts to restore power were to no avail. He attempted to land on a road, but struck a mesquite bush and the airplane nosed over. The engine was functionally tested on May 7, 1998, at the facilities of Mesilla Valley Aviation, Inc., Las Cruces, New Mexico. The engine operated successfully, but full power could not be achieved due to a broken engine mount. It was the opinion of those in attendance, and that of the pilot's, that the engine lost power due to carburetor ice. Thirty-four minutes before the accident, the temperature and dew point at El Paso, Texas, International Airport (elevation 3,956 feet msl), located approximately 30 miles southeast, was 9 degrees and -3 degrees C. (48.2 and 26.6 degrees F.), respectively. According to the Carburetor Ice Probability Chart, these conditions are conducive to serious icing at glide power, and it approaches a moderate icing realm at cruise power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3086Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3086Y-2013-02-19), registration cancelled 2013-02-19, S/N 18254086, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254086 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marvin D. Jones - Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1997 - Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LRU ## 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 19980408006139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980408006139A), Apr 8, 1998: Cessna 182E, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. The pilot said he made several turns in preparation to returning to the airport to perform some touch and go landings. At 6500 feet MSL, the engine lost power,… 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.