# NTSB SEA91FA120: Cessna 182H, N2466X, Thompson, UT, December 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1990, 18:30 local (Dec 19, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Thompson, UT
- Coordinates: 39.179042, -109.489082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1790&lon=-109.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA120

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED DESCENT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 182H DEPARTED VERNAL, UT EN ROUTE TO MOAB, UT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED MISSING THAT NIGHT, AND WAS NOT FOUND FOR SIX MONTHS. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TOP OF A KNOLL AT HIGH SPEED, IN DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2466X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2466X-1992-08-19), registration cancelled 1992-08-19, S/N 18256366 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18256366
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Joseph W. Harris
- Departed: VEL, VERNAL, UT
- Destination: OAB, MOAB, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,145 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 40 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Observed at: GJT, 58 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 19901219055579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901219055579A), Dec 19, 1990: Cessna 182H, Thompson, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft missing on night cargo flight. Found 9 days later.VFR but windy at crash site. Hit mountainside. Demolished

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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