VFR into IMC · NTSB CEN15FA174
CESSNA 182Q — El Paso, TX
| Date | March 17, 2015 |
| Location | El Paso, TX |
| Aircraft | CESSNA 182Q |
| Purpose of flight | Aerial Observation |
| Conditions | Day · Instrument Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Enroute VFR encounter with IMC |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 13,274 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 4,800 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Weather planning-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Low ceiling-Effect on operation
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Ceiling/visibility/precip-Obscuration-Effect on operation
What happened
The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules aerial observation flight and returning to his home base. Radar and weather data showed the airplane maneuvering in instrument flight rules conditions before radar contact was lost. Examination of the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted rocky, mountainous terrain in a slight left-wing-low attitude at high airspeed, consistent with controlled flight into terrain. It is likely that the mountainous terrain was obscured by clouds and low ceilings at the time of the accident, which prevented the pilot from seeing the terrain. Although the wreckage was significantly fragmented and damaged by fire, no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airframe or engine were noted that would have precluded normal operation.