# NTSB SEA85FA012: Cessna 182B, N2612G, Tiller, OR, October 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1984, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Tiller, OR
- Coordinates: 42.939105, -122.849426 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9391&lon=-122.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN ABOUT 1800 FT BELOW THE CREST OF A RIDGE WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT IN WX WHICH HAD MULTIPLE CLOUD LAYERS OBSURING THE MOUNTAINS. A CAP ACFT ON A SEARCH MISSION IN THE SAME AREA AT THE APRX TIME REPORTED MULTIPLE CLOUD LAYERS BETWEEN MEDFORD & SUNRIVER, OR. BOTH PLS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WERE CAP MEMBERS & HAD BEEN ON SEARCH MISSIONS IN THE AREA OF MEDFORD & SUNRIVER ON PREVIOUS FLTS. THE AREA OF THE CRASH IS HEAVILY WOODED WITHTREES OVER 150 FT HIGH. A 4 FT SECTION OF THE LEFT WING WAS FOUND NEAR A FOREST SERVICE ROAD. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS APRX900 FT AWAY ON A 180 DEGREE BEARING (MAG), AT THE 3750 FT LEVEL OF A 5580 FT MOUNTAIN. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED & NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. THE ACFT DEPARTED DURING A SNOW SHOWER WITH 4 PERSONS ON BOARD; WHEN IT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT MEDFORD A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE SEARCH WAS SUSPENDED WHEN NO FLT SIGNALS WERE RECEIVED. SIX DAYS LATER A HUNTER CAME UPON THE WRECKAGE. NO MEDICAL OR MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE ACCIDENT WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2612G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2612G-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 51912, 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: 182-51912
- Airframe hours: 5544
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Retherford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: S21, SUN RIVER, OR
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 321 total, 207 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F

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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