# NTSB SEA86FA071: Cessna 182P, N182FW, Tenino, WA, March 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1986, 23:35 local (Mar 4, 1986, 07:35 UTC)
- Place: Tenino, WA
- Coordinates: 46.83958, -122.849525 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8396&lon=-122.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DEPARTED FOR HIS DESTINATION WITHOUT FILING A FLIGHT PLAN NOR OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED IN DARK NIGHT AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. LOW CEILINGS PREVAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT'S OVERALL INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE WAS MINIMAL AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT HE HAD ACQUIRED ANY RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE. APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N182FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N182FW-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 18263766, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263766
- Airframe hours: 3444
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank O. Brickey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 27, 1985, 39 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 332 total, 51 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OLM, 6 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 19860303037599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860303037599A), Mar 3, 1986: Cessna 182P, Tenino, WA, Destroyed. Lost control in IFR weather. Uncontrolled descent to impact. Had instrument training but no instrument rating.

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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