# NTSB GAA17CA202: Cessna 182, N52743, Mackay, ID, March 25, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 25, 2017, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Mackay, ID
- Coordinates: 43.846942, -113.684722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8469&lon=-113.6847&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94912/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94912
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA202

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane over mountainous terrain in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain altitude or establish a climb.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md)
- [Terrain: high elevation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while flying in mountainous terrain around 9,500 ft mean sea level (700 to 1,200 ft above the ground), the airplane encountered a downdraft. He added that he immediately turned away from the mountainside in a right turn, added full power, selected 10º of flaps, and pitched the nose up to maintain the airplane's maximum angle-of-climb airspeed (Vx). Subsequently, the airplane was unable to climb, and it then impacted wooded, snow-covered terrain along the mountainside. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The calculated density altitude near the flightpath was about 10,339 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, the airplane would have experienced a 50% decrease to the normal climb rate. The high-density altitude conditions likely contributed to the airplane's inability to establish a climb.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while flying in mountainous terrain around 9,500 ft. mean sea level (700 to 1,200 ft. above the ground), the airplane encountered a downdraft. He added that he immediately turned away from the mountainside in a right turn, added full power, selected 10º of flaps, and pitched the nose up to maintain the airplane's maximum angle of climb airspeed (Vx). Subsequently, the pilot was unable to establish a climb and impacted wooded snow covered terrain along the mountainside. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The calculated density altitude near the flight path was about 10,339 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, the airplane would have experienced a 50% decrease to the normal rate of climb.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52743](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52743-2019-04-15), registration cancelled 2019-04-15, S/N 18262813, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (P)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262813
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 12213.3
- Engines: Continental O-520U/TS 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Avcenter Inc.
- Registered owner: Teton Leasing LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 28, 2016
- Departed: MAN, NAMPA, ID
- Destination: MAN, NAMPA, ID
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,689 total, 76 in this make and model, 1,526 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KSUN, 32 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 20170325002219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170325002219A), Mar 25, 2017: Cessna 182P, Mackay, ID, Substantial damage. With favorable weather forecasts the accident pilot scheduled the plane for a 25th march/saturday flight. The pilot reported waking refreshed after 9 hours of…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94912. 2.1 MB in all.

- Pilot Submitted Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 988 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Submitted%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Operator Submitted Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120 1 (item 2, .PDF, 399 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%20Submitted%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120%201-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452478&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- NTSB_Depiction of Flight Path (item 4, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB_Depiction%20of%20Flight%20Path-Master.PDF
- Performance Information_FAA Koch Chart (item 5, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Performance%20Information_FAA%20Koch%20Chart-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 6, .PDF, 269 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF

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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