# NTSB LAX93LA366: Cessna 182H, N1982X, Flagstaff, AZ, September 23, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1993, 01:00 local (08:00 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.229892, -111.720893 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2299&lon=-111.7209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28487/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA366 ## Probable cause the pilot's sudden incapacation due to a fatal heart attack. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal - physical impairment(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT AS THE FLIGHT NEARED THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT COMPLAINED OF NOT FEELING WELL, COLLAPSED, AND DIED. THE PASSENGER, WHO IS NOT A PILOT, WAS ABLE TO LAND THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND EXITED THE RUNWAY AT MIDFIELD. THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE GEAR SEPARATED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE PARALLEL EDGE OF THE TAXIWAY. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1993, at 0100 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 182H, N1982X, exited the right side of runway 21 and collided with the edge of the parallel taxiway at Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona. The airplane was landed by the passenger as the certificated private pilot suffered a fatal heart attack while enroute to Flagstaff. Flagstaff was the intended destination of the visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage; the taxiway E exit sign was destroyed. The passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Kayenta Airport, Kayenta, Arizona, at 0010 hours. In a written statement to the Flagstaff Police Department, the passenger reported that about 25 minutes into the flight the pilot told him he was not feeling well and considered going to the hospital once they arrived at Flagstaff. About 10 minutes later, the pilot began to convulse and passed out. The passenger, who has had "a little flight training", continued the flight toward Flagstaff arriving about 15 minutes after the pilot passed out. The passenger was unable to contact the tower and was unsuccessful in landing the airplane on the first attempt. On the second attempt, the passenger landed the airplane. The airplane bounced three times and on the third touch down the nose gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway and collided with a ditch located between the runway and taxiway. After the airplane came to rest, the passenger shut off the engine and fuel and extricated the pilot from the airplane. The airport manager reported that the airplane landed at midfield, bounced three times, and then exited the right side of the runway. The airplane's nose gear separated when it collided with the parallel edge of the taxiway. Paramedics were immediately summoned to the scene. The paramedics reported that the pilot was without signs of life. Resuscitation was attempted, but without success. The Coconino County Medical Examiner, Flagstaff, Arizona, conducted the post-mortem examination on the pilot. The pathologist findings were: "sudden cardiac death due to coronary arteriosclerosis. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1982X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1982X), registered now, S/N 18256082 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256082 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Billy D. Graham - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Departed: 0V7, KAYENTA, AZ - Destination: FL - Airport: FLG, Flagstaff, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLG ## 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 19930923036169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930923036169A), Sep 23, 1993: Cessna 182H, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Pilot suffered fatal heart attack near destination. Non-pilot passenger landed aircraft safe but damaged. 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.