# NTSB LAX83LA229: Cessna 182R, N9951H, Duckwater, NV, May 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1983, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Duckwater, NV
- Coordinates: 38.86, -115.72985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8600&lon=-115.7298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA229

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - weather evaluation - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - tornado (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AFTER DESCENDING TO 600 FT AGL AND ENCOUNTERING A WEATHER PHENOMENON WHICH PROMPTED AN AIRSPEED DECAY AND UNCOMMANDED LOSS OF ALTITUDE. TWO OTHER ACFT IN THE FLT OF 3 EXPERIENCED THE SAME PHENOMENON TO A LESSER DEGREE APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF THEIR HIGHER ALT AGL. THE PILOT OF ONE OF THE ACCOMPANYING ACFT LANDED ON A NEARBY ROAD AFTER SEEING THE ACCIDENT AND IN PROCEEDING TO THE SCENE SAW A 'HUGE DUST DEVIL. HE ALSO SAID THE WIND WOULD SHIFT FROM 300 DEGREES TO ABOUT 120 DEGREES THEN SHIFT TO 60 DEGREES WITH A BUFFET BEFORE RETURNING TO THE PREVAILING 300 DEGREES. THE TWO CLOSEST WEATHER STATIONS 45 OR MORE MILES AWAY ARE SEPARATED FROM DUCKATER BY MOUNTAIN RANGES. THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT WAS STABILIZED IN FLT WITH 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS AT 85 KTS WHEN HE NOTED A DROP IN AIRSPEED TO 70 KTS AND THEN 60 KTS AND A VERTICAL SPEED OF 500-700 FT PER MINUTE DESCENT. WHEN THE AIRSPEED CONTINUED TO DROP THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND AT 1000-1200 FT PER MINUTE UNTIL IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9951H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9951H), registered now, S/N 18268137, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 68137
- Airframe hours: 373
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Parsons Air
- Registered owner: Latham R. Perkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: 01U, DUCKWATER, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 427 total, 148 in this make and model, 329 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELY, 45 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 19830514019449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830514019449A), May 14, 1983: Cessna 182R, Duckwater, NV, Substantial damage. Encountered a severe downdraft while circling at a low altitude. Crash landed on desert. Possible whirlwind in area

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.