Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

May 24, 2014 · Cessna 182P · N21048

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182P (1972)
Tail Number
N21048
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR14LA208

The commercial pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 12,500 ft mean sea level (msl) when he noticed a partial loss of engine power and that the No. 1 cylinder exhaust gas temperature had dropped from 1,450 to 1,300 degrees F. The pilot diverted to an airport about 10 miles away; however, the engine then experienced a total loss of power about 4,000 ft above ground level. The airplane was unable to reach the airport, so the pilot performed a forced landing on a dirt road, during which the firewall was substantially damaged and the right main landing gear collapsed. A postaccident engine test run at various power settings revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions at the time of the accident at the airplane's cruise altitude of 12,500 ft msl were conducive to the formation of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. During the on-site examination of the wreckage, the carburetor heat control was found in the "off" position. It is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor ice and that the timely application of carburetor heat would have restored engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat in cruise flight while operating in an area conducive to carburetor icing.

Full Narrative

**This report was modified on November 2, 2016. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.** On May 24, 2014, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182P airplane, N21048, experienced a total loss of engine power and executed a forced landing onto a dirt road on the south side of Mammoth Lakes, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall during the landing sequence. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91. The pilot and single passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Bishop, California. The pilot stated that while en route to Los Banos, California, on V230, 10 miles west of RBRTS intersection at a cruise altitude of 12,500 ft mean sea level he noticed a change in engine sound/cadence followed by the number 1 engine cylinder exhaust gas temperature (EGT) drop from a 1,450 to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit, and the engine then experienced a complete loss of power at an approximate altitude of 4,000 ft above ground level. He informed air traffic control (ATC) and diverted southeast towards Yosemite Mammoth Airport, which was approximately 10 miles away. The pilot failed to reach the airport and landed on a dirt road on the south side of the town of Mammoth Lakes. During the landing the right main landing gear collapsed and the engine firewall was damaged. A review of weather conditions at the time of the accident indicated a temperature of 1 degree Celsius, dew point of minus 6 degrees Celsius, and a relative humidity of 60% at 12,500 which posed a potential for carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. During the on site examination of the wreckage the carburetor heat control was found in the off position During the postaccident examination of the airframe and engine, the engine was prepared for an engine run. The engine started and was run at various power setting for several minutes before it was shut down. No anomalies were revealed what would have precluded the engine from producing power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest AirportMammoth Lakes (6nm W)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182P
Tail NumberN21048
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-550D · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 10 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point23 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data