Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near Byers, CO — 2020-10-03

Final reportCEN21LA002
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Date
2020-10-03
Location
Byers, CO, USA
Airport
CO17
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N9901E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported the engine did not provide full power when he attempted to execute a go-around. The airplane subsequently descended into a corn field and nosed over. The fuselage, and empennage both sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that he applied carburetor heat in accordance with the pilot’s operating handbook. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inability to produce rated power. The propeller damage was consistent with some level of engine power at impact; however, an exact level of power could not be estimated from the available evidence. Although the possibility of carburetor icing existed at the time of the accident, the pilot stated that he applied carburetor heat in accordance with the pilot’s operating handbook.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing earlier to avoid engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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