# NTSB WPR23LA162: Cessna R182, N4166C, Grand Canyon, AZ, April 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 19, 2023, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 35.951752, -112.1482 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9518&lon=-112.1482&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Textron Aviation, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 107119 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107119/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107119 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA162 ## Probable cause The airplane’s loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a cross-country flight when, about an hour into the flight, he noticed that the fuel was only being drawn from the left tank. He decided to conduct a precautionary landing at an en route airport. During the approach, the engine was “acting up” and he decided to add full power to perform a go-around. The engine then lost power, the airplane stalled, and both wings and the empennage impacted the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s fuel system and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions were not conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. The cause of the inaccurate draining of the right wing fuel tank and the loss of power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2023, about 1400 mountain standard time, a Cessna R182 airplane, N4166C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The pilot initially reported that during the flight the airplane’s fuel gauges were not reading correctly and that he decided he was going to land at Valle Airport (40G), Grand Canyon, Arizona, for fuel. During the final approach for runway 1 at 40G, he applied carburetor heat and the engine sputtered. The pilot aborted the landing and attempted to go around because of the wind. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground during the go-around. In a follow-up interview, the pilot reported that the airplane was recently purchased and that he was flying the airplane to the St. Louis, Missouri, area. He said that there were no refueling services at his departure airport and that the left tank was about 3/4 full, and the right tank was 7/8 full before departing. He had planned to refuel at an unknown airport in western Kansas. About an hour into the flight, the pilot reported that the fuel was only being drawn from the left tank so he decided to conduct a precautionary landing to 40G. During the approach, the engine was “acting up” and he decided to add full power to perform a go-around. The engine produced no power, and shortly after the airplane “stalled out” at an unknown altitude. Both wings and the empennage impacted the ground. The airport manager who was onsite shortly after the accident reported that the right wing was on the ground and that both wing tanks were leaking fuel. The wing fuel tank caps were removed for a visual inspection, and the right tank was full to the brim and the left tank was at about a 1/2 tank. The fuel selector was found in the BOTH position. The airplane had total time of 4,784.4 hours. A review of the airplane’s logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was completed on August 1, 2022, about 16.6 hours before the accident. In June of 2003, the engine was removed for a sudden stoppage inspection. The engine was repaired and inspected and reinstalled in November of 2003. The engine had 419.3 hours of operation since being reinstalled. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of anomalies with the airplane’s fuel system. The wing fuel tanks were intact and the associated lines and screens were unobstructed. The fuel caps were removed, and the cap seals and cap vent valves were undamaged. The fuel tank vent lines were unobstructed when air pressure was added. The fuel selector valve was tested and was found to operate normally in all detent positions. A small amount of fuel was found in the fuel strainer and was uncontaminated. The fuel strainer bowl and screen were free of contaminants. The examination of the engine and its components revealed no anomalies that would have precludednormal operation. The induction system had no signs of induction leaks or obstructions. The exhaust flame cones were found to be intact and there were no signs of obstructions in the exhaust system. The carburetor was removed from the engine and sent to the manufacturer for a fuel flow evaluation and examination. The carburetor’s fuel flow performance was within acceptable limits at various power settings. The airplane was operating in conditions not conducive to carburetor icing at any power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4166C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4166C), registered now, S/N R18200334, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R182 - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18200334 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3185 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edwards Construction LLC. - Registered owner: Edwards Construction LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 2021, 16.6 hours before - Departed: A09, Bullhead City, AZ - Destination: 40G, Grand Canyon, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 40G, Valle, runway 01/19, 4,199 × 45 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 24, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 266 total, 131 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 16 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KGCN - METAR: KGCN 192054Z 25016G25KT 10SM CLR 11/M13 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP100 T01111128 51005 ## 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 20230419005539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230419005539A), Apr 19, 2023: Cessna R182, Valle, AZ, Substantial damage. On April 19, 2023, about 14:00 mountain standard time (MST), a Cessna R182 aircraft was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Valle… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107119. 18.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15533774&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum-initial interviews (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18372128&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Initial%20Interview%20Pilot-Record%20of%20Memorandum-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum-followup pilot interview (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373379&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Scott%20Gross-Record%20of%20Memorandum-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook excerpts (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373199&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine-Logbook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Icing chart (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18372862&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Icing%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Photo array-onsite (courtesy of the airport manager) (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 819 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18372232&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Airport%20Manager-Rel.pdf - Ntsb-wreckage examination summary report (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373692&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA162%20Wreckage%20Examination%20Summary%20Report-Rel.pdf - Textron aviation-tech report (item 8, PDF, 10 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tech%20Report%20R18200334_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Marvel schebler-fuel flow evaluation (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373209&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MSC51201%20inspection%2003-14-2024_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email-faa oversight of carburetor testing (item 10, PDF, 3 pages, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18372740&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RE_%20WPR23LA162%20Marvel-Schebler%20Carburetor%20Examination_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email-recovery efforts (item 11, PDF, 2 pages, 297 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373189&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=40G%20Recovery%20Efforts%20and%20Fuel%20Quantities_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation-textron aviation (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18373120&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=A13%20KAG%20Party%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18372222&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=116843%20-%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release_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.