CESSNA 182S near White Swan, WA — 2008-11-12

Probable cause

Collision with terrain while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives and investigating police agencies, the airplane was stolen from the owner's hangar. The registered owner of the airplane reported that he last flew the airplane on November 7, 2008. After completing the flight, the airplane was moved to his hangar. On November 12, 2008, a witness observed the airplane circling, at a low altitude. Shortly thereafter, police received reports of a downed airplane in the general area of the earlier sighting. Later that day the airplane was found abandoned. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. At the time of this report, the pilot has not been located or identified, and the purpose of the unauthorized flight is not known.

NTSB coding

• Security/criminal event · Prior to flight