# NTSB LAX91LA030: Cessna 182G, N3431S, Portal, AZ, November 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Portal, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.000041, -109.210556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0000&lon=-109.2106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA030

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED DOUGLAS, ARIZONA TO FLY TO THE CHIRAQUAWA MOUNTAINS TO LOCATE A BUSINESS ACQUAINTANCE WHO WAS DEER HUNTING. WHILE CIRCLING THE AREA HE INADVERTENTLY FLEW INTO A NARROW, BLIND CANYON. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE AIRPLANE AND BEGAN TO CLIMB. REALIZING THAT A CRASH WAS IMMINENT HE INTENTIONALLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE FACE OF THE MOUNTAIN. BOTH OCCUPANTS, ALTHOUGH SERIOUSLY INJURED, WALKED OUT OF THE AREA AND WERE RESCUED 4 DAYS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3431S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3431S-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 18255831, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255831
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Young Builders
- Registered owner: Young Builders, Inc
- Departed: DUG, DOUGLAS, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 664 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901104050739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901104050739A), Nov 4, 1990: Cessna 182G, Portal, AZ, Destroyed. Flew into narrow blind canyon looking for hunting party. Realized error,unable to turn or climb. Stalled into trees

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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