# NTSB SEA91FA258: Cessna 182Q, N759SN, Lincoln, MT, September 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1991, 19:00 local (Sep 30, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, MT
- Coordinates: 47.160495, -112.679786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1605&lon=-112.6798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA258

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN THE AREA, AND THE LOW CEILINGS AND CLOUDS OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A LOW ALTITUDE AGL, FOLLOWING A ROAD INTO A MOUNTAIN PASS THAT WAS OBSCURED IN CLOUDS AND FOG.  THE ACFT IMPACTED STEEP UPSLOPING TERRAIN ON A MOUNTAIN PEAK NEAR THE CREST OF THE MOUNTAIN CHAIN, 3 MILES FROM THE ROAD SUMMIT THROUGH THE PASS.  EVIDENCE ON THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THE EXTERIOR OF THE ACFT WAS WET WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759SN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N759SN-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 18266224 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266224
- Airframe hours: 1921
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Gottfried
- Registered owner: James A. Gottfried
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1991, 26 hours before
- Departed: 52S, ST IGNATIUS, MT
- Destination: 79S, FT BENTON, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 496 total, 480 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTF, 46 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 19910929044129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910929044129A), Sep 29, 1991: Cessna 182Q, Lincoln, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted cloud-obscurred mountain just below peak.AIRMET in effect for mountain obscurations in area. No wx briefing

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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