CESSNA 182M — Hot Springs, AR

What happened

The pilot and passenger were approaching their destination airport on a cross-country flight when the pilot made a mayday call on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). People monitoring the CTAF reported that the pilot stated that he had lost engine power and would not be able to reach the airport. They added that the pilot stated he was going to attempt a forced landing west of the airport. Witnesses reported that the airplane was low and quiet as it passed overhead. One witness reported that the airplane’s left wing impacted a tree branch, spinning the airplane around before it collided with the ground. The airplane came to rest in an open rolling field that was surrounded by trees. An on-site examination of the airplane revealed the wing fuel tanks had been breached during the collision; however, fuel was present on site. Further examination of the airframe and engine failed to identify any preimpact abnormalities. The airplane was operating in weather conditions that were not favorable for the formation of carburetor icing at the time of the accident. A reason for the loss of engine power was not established.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.