# NTSB WPR20LA028: Cessna 182, N8749T, Metaline, WA, November 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 11, 2019, 11:26 local (19:26 UTC) - Place: Metaline, WA - Coordinates: 48.80722, -117.291946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8072&lon=-117.2919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100588 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100588/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100588 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA028 ## Probable cause Impact with a lake for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072708), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight and did not return as planned. Local authorities discovered the pilot’s body five days later, near the shore of a lake about 28 nautical miles northeast of the departure airport. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the wreckage was not recovered. There was no radar information that could be definitively correlated with the accident airplane. Review of weather information for the day of the accident was consistent with VFR conditions in the area of the accident site, and model sounding data suggested no low clouds or restrictions to visibility. Autopsy and toxicology of the pilot did not reveal evidence of physiological impairment or incapacitation. The circumstances of the accident could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2019, at 1126 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182, N8749T, was reported overdue/missing near Metaline Falls, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured; the wreckage has not been located. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alert notice (ALNOT) information, the airplane departed on a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight from Colville Municipal Airport (63S), Colville, Washington. The ALNOT was issued at 1905 on November 11 when the pilot did not return as planned. Local authorities discovered the pilot’s body on the morning of November 16, 2019, near the shore of Sullivan Lake, about 28 nautical miles northeast of 63S. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the wreckage was not recovered. There was no radar information that could be definitively correlated with the accident airplane. Review of weather information for the day of the accident was consistent with VFR conditions in the area of the accident site, and model sounding data suggested no low clouds or restrictions to visibility. An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the Spokane County, Washington, Office of the Medical Examiner. The cause of death was attributed to presumed hypothermia and drowning. Toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot at the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory was negative for carbon monoxide and ethanol. Glucose was detected in vitreous and urine, and rosuvastatin was detected in blood and urine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8749T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8749T-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 52649, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52649 - Year built: 1960 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Coleman Terry L - Registered owner: Coleman Terry L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 63S, Colville, WA - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 905 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.52 inHg - Observed at: K65S, 40 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 20191111021009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191111021009A), Nov 11, 2019: Cessna 182C, Metaline Falls, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Family reported pilot overdue return to colville Washington 5 days later pilot body was found in sullivan lake east of colville. Extensive search by search and… ## Other investigations on N8749T (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 CHI67F0469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0469), Jan 29, 1967: Cessna 182 (N8749T), Rising Sun, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100588. 2.0 MB in all. - Memorandum for record - pend oreille co sheriff (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13675867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20LA028-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13188443&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=weather_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Radar (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 391 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13188245&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=radar-Rel.pdf - Radar photo (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 535 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13188895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Radar%20data-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - autopsy report (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13675976&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Autopsy%20LA028-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13189411&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.