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April 28, 2018 · Cessna 182F F · N3377U

Boulder, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Boulder, UT
Aircraft
Cessna 182F F (1963)
Tail Number
N3377U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA136

Following a cross-country flight, the pilot was circling in the area of the destination airport when he noticed an excessively high exhaust gas temperature (EGT) indication. He enrichened the fuel/air mixture to full rich and leveled the airplane in an attempt to "cool down" the engine, then noted that the airplane would not maintain altitude and that engine power was decreasing. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane impacted two ditches, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airframe and the engine failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the reason for the decreased engine power could not be determined. The calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was 8,814 ft.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the available evidence.

Full Narrative

On April 28, 2018, about 1715 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3377U, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boulder, Utah. The private pilot sustained a minor injury, while his two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed on a 172-nautical (nm) mile cross-country flight. Upon arriving in the area of the destination, they were circling over the town when the pilot observed a high exhaust gas temperature (EGT) indication. He stated that, at this time he enriched the fuel mixture setting to full rich, leveled off to cool the engine down, and immediately began looking for a possible emergency landing site. When he realized that the airplane could not maintain altitude, as engine power was decreasing, he chose a grassy field for a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a ditch, which separated the nose landing gear. The pilot reported that he then applied the brakes, but collided with a second ditch, which brought the airplane to a stop partially on its nose at about a 20° tail-high angle. The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of about 111° at an elevation of 6,627 ft mean sea level (msl), and sustained substantial damage to its firewall and engine mounts. The airplane was examined after recovery from the site. Both wings had been separated from the fuselage for purposes of recovery. All four engine mounts were broken, and the engine was pushed aft. The lower cowling, lower exhaust tubing, and cowl flap were impact damaged. The position of the cowl flap could not be determined. The propeller governor control and the carburetor heat cables were impact damaged and could not be functionally tested. The oil cooler coils were unremarkable. Electrical continuity of the cylinder head temperature/exhaust gas temperature/outside air temperature gauges was confirmed. The mixture control cable and the throttle cable remained connected and moved freely and correctly. The fuel selector valve was free to rotate when activated by hand; each detent was defined. The upper spark plugs and valve covers were removed. The engine was rotated at the propeller flange, with no binding noted through the valve train to the accessory section. Valve movement was noted on all cylinders, and thumb compression was detected on all cylinders. Spark was noted on the upper p-leads. The upper spark plugs exhibited signatures consistent with a lean mixture and worn-out condition when compared to a Champion Spark Plug Check-a-Plug chart. The lower spark plugs were also removed and exhibited signatures consistent with normal to worn-out condition. Examination revealed no evidence of anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The 1653 weather observation at Bryce Canyon Airport (BCE), Bryce Canyon, Utah, located about 60 nm west of the accident site, reported temperature 21°C, dew point 13°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of mercury. Based on these conditions, the computed density altitude at the time of the accident was 8,814 ft msl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182F F
Tail NumberN3377U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 0
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 25 kt, gusting 33 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 55
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data