Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB LAX08FA267
CESSNA TR182 — Sahuarita, AZ
| Date | August 14, 2008 |
| Location | Sahuarita, AZ |
| Aircraft | CESSNA TR182 |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 63 |
| Pilot total time | 4,000 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at low altitude for undetermined reasons.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
What happened
Family members reported that the pilot was overdue on a cross-country flight to visit a friend. The wreckage was discovered the next day. The main wreckage was found at the base of a vertical bluff with portions of the wings about halfway up on the bluff face. Radar data indicated that the airplane circled in the accident area at low altitude. The last radar return, which was in the immediate vicinity of the bluff, indicated an altitude that was lower than the elevation of the top of the bluff. Investigators found no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.