# NTSB MIA91LA063: Cessna 182N, N69UU, La Belle, FL, January 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1991, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: La Belle, FL
- Coordinates: 26.640146, -81.34056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6401&lon=-81.3406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER FORECAST.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather forecast - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING FOR A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLT. HIS CHARTS & AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY (AFD) WERE IN HIS BRIEFCSE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE FLT DEPARTED & ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT, ENCOUNTERED FOG. THE PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST. HE OBTAINED THE AFD, ENTERED THE COORDINATES INTO HIS LORAN RECEIVER; WHICH INDICATED THE ACFT WAS 26 MILES SOUTHEAST. HE INITIATED A TURN TO RETURN & WHILE CALLING HIS INSTRUCTOR VIA A PORTABLE TELEPHONE TO OBTAIN CURRENT WX CONDITIONS, 'LOST TRACK OF ALTITUDE, MISREAD ALTIMITER'. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER HIS BRIEFCASE. THE PLT STATED THERE WAS NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69UU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69UU-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 18260670, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18260670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Gregory H.
- Registered owner: Smith, Gregory H.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 8X6, LAKE PLACID, FL
- Destination: X06, ARCADIA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 145 total, 90 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSW, 21 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 19910109000289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910109000289A), Jan 9, 1991: Cessna 182N, La Belle, FL, Destroyed. Encountered fog layer. Became disoriented. Compass light ot. Flashlight dead,struck 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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