# NTSB SEA00LA115: Cessna 182B, N66KJ, Laurel, MT, May 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2000, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.600444, -108.679153 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6004&lon=-108.6792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49540 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49540/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the precautionary landing. Wet and soft terrain, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported to his insurance adjuster that he observed smoke in the cockpit coming from behind the EGT/CHT gages on the instrument panel. The pilot shut off the master switch and opted to perform a precautionary landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane began to slide on the soft wet soil. The airplane nosed down and the propeller and right wing tip contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. Post-accident inspection of the aircraft's electrical system found no evidence of overheating or anomalies to the wires and connections. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2000, at an unknown time that morning, a Cessna 182B, N66KJ, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain during a precautionary landing near Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured. The pilot reported to his insurance adjuster that he observed smoke in the cockpit coming from behind the EGT/CHT gages on the instrument panel. The pilot shut off the master switch and opted to perform a precautionary landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane began to slide on the soft wet soil. The airplane nosed down and the propeller and right wing tip contacted the ground resulting in substantial damage. The pilot did not report the accident to either the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). On June 27, 2000, an avionics shop, who performed maintenance on the aircraft in January 2000, and was notified by the pilot's insurance adjuster that the aircraft was involved in an accident, contacted the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). It was at this time that the NTSB and FAA learned of the accident. The pilot has not been available for an interview. On July 14, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena FSDO inspected the aircraft for evidence of heat distress behind the instrument panel. The inspector reported that the master switch and the avionics switch were turned on. After 25 minutes there was no evidence of overheating or smoke from under the panel. All wires and connections were inspected. No evidence of overheating was found. On June 27, 2000, and August 15, 2000, the pilot was sent the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2. To this date, the form has not been returned to this office. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66KJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66KJ), registered now, S/N 51861, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182B - Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51861 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kelly G. Kelly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 2000, 59 hours before - Departed: RPX, ROUNDUP, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20000529012269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000529012269A), May 29, 2000: Cessna 182B, Laurel, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot reported to his insurance agent that while in cruise flight, he experienced smoke in the cockpit. He shut the engine down and landed in a plowed… 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.