# NTSB LAX86FA039: Cessna 182P, N7036S, Cottonwood, AZ, November 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1985, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.750942, -112.010482 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7509&lon=-112.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA039

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - ice (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAW THE PLT DEPART WITH FROST COVERING THE ACFT & WITHOUT EITHER A RUNUP OR WARMUP. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PLT 'SCRAPED THE FROST FROM A SMALL SQUARE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HIM ON THE WINDSHIELD' JUST PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 22 & 17 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY FOR THE EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE, & THE ACFT REMAINED OVERNIGHT IN THE COLD TEMPS WITH PARTIALLY EMPTY FUEL TANKS. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL, WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER. PLT BEGAN A DESCENDING LEFT 270 DEGREE TURN BACK TOWARD THE RWY & CRASHED INTO A DRY RIVER BANK WITH LITTLE FORWARD VELOCITY & MODERATE VERTICAL SPEED. EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO MECHAINCAL PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7036S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7036S-2013-05-03), registration cancelled 2013-05-03, S/N 18265050, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- 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: 18265050
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William L. Boren
- Registered owner: Darla M. Reese
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1984, 180 hours before
- Destination: 8E6, CORDES, AZ
- Airport: P52, Cottonwood, runway 14, 4,250 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 180 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 19 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 19851114057059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851114057059A), Nov 14, 1985: Cessna 182P, Cottonwood, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power on takeoff. Impacted bank of riverbed and burned. Metal lodged under exhaust valve. Frost on aircraft.

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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