# NTSB SEA85LA202: Cessna 182R, N5545N, Reno, NV, August 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1985, 06:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.779315, -119.910339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7793&lon=-119.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD ONLY 1.9 HOURS OF FLT TIME IN THE CESSNA 182R AND A TTL PIC TIME OF 6.6 HRS. AFTER PRACTICING TURNS AROUND A POINT AT 800 FT AGL A CLIMB WAS INITIATED. THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE RISING TERRAIN DUE TO A DENSITY ALT OF APRX 8200 FT. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT MUSHED ONTO THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5545N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5545N-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 18267783, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267783
- Airframe hours: 1021
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herbert S. Platt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 1985
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 2 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850826074019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850826074019A), Aug 26, 1985: Cessna 182R, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Flew into canyon and was unable to outclimb rising terrain. Mushed into mountain. Density altitude of 8200 feet.

## Other investigations on N5545N (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX89FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA058), Nov 25, 1988: Cessna 182R (N5545N), Gorman, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE EXISTENCE OF A MOUNTAIN WAVE ALONG THE AIRCRAFT'S FLIGHT ROUTE, THE FAILURE OF THE CREW TO EVALUATE REPORTED WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE FLIGHT…

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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