Pilot Debrief

CESSNA TR182 near Tulia, TX — 2015-05-27

Final reportCEN15LA243
Sign in to save
Date
2015-05-27
Location
Tulia, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA TR182
Registration
N4645T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was conducting a personal, cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight and as he was preparing to descend the airplane, the engine experienced a reduction in power. The pilot's attempts to troubleshoot the power reduction power were unsuccessful. Due to the reduced available power, the airplane was unable to reach an airport, so the pilot conducted a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the nose landing gear dug into the soft terrain, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies. During a subsequent engine test run, the engine operated normally with no anomalies noted. Weather conditions on the ground at the time of the accident were conducive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power settings; however, the temperature and dew point at 9,000 ft, the altitude at which the initial power loss occurred, could not be determined. The reason for the engine power loss could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted earlier to a closer airport after initial power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps