History of Flight
On November 29, 2013, about 0750 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182E airplane, registration N3087Y, impacted terrain near Delta, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from Blake Field Airport (KAJZ) at 0748, destined for Crawford Airport (99V), about 20 nautical miles east.
According to the designated examiner (DE) scheduled to conduct the student's private pilot practical test at 99V, the student pilot called on the morning of the accident and reported a cloud deck at KAJZ. The DE advised that the cloud deck was likely thin and would burn off, suggesting the student fly after the weather cleared.
An airport surveillance camera recorded the accident airplane departing from Runway 3 at KAJZ. No witnesses observed the accident.
Pilot Information
The student pilot, aged 36, had accumulated 98 total flight hours, including 63 hours with a flight instructor and 6.4 hours in the three days before the accident. All recorded flight time was in the accident airplane. The student's simulated instrument flight time was 0.6 hours; the FAA requires 3 hours of simulated instrument training prior to the private pilot practical test.
On September 21, 2011, the pilot was issued a Class 3 medical and student pilot certificate with a limitation requiring corrective lenses. No significant medical issues were noted during that examination.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 182E was manufactured in 1962 and held a standard airworthiness certificate. Logbooks indicated 6,347 total hours as of the last annual inspection on November 12, 2012. The Continental Motors O-470-R engine (serial number 131740-5-R) had 2,895 total hours and 1,853 hours since major overhaul. The propeller was installed on September 1, 2000, with no subsequent maintenance entries.
Meteorological Information
The weather observation station at KAJZ reported at 0755: wind calm, visibility 4 miles, overcast ceiling at 600 feet, temperature 0°C, dew point -1°C, and altimeter setting 30.39 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted terrain about two miles from the departure end of Runway 3, on the extended runway centerline. Initial impact marks from all three landing gear were present, and the debris path spanned 440 feet on a heading of 340 degrees. The engine and wings separated from the fuselage, which broke into three large sections—the forward instrument panel and floor, the aft seats and floor, and the empennage—remained loosely connected by flight control cables. The engine came to rest 60 feet ahead of the fuselage.
Control cable continuity was established for all flight controls, with tension overload separations at the front door posts and wing roots. Both propeller blades exhibited twisting, S-bending, and chordwise scratches. Spark plugs showed normal wear, and both magnetos produced spark. The crankshaft rotated freely by hand with thumb compression on all cylinders. Drive train continuity was intact. Borescope inspection of cylinders revealed no anomalies, and the oil filter element contained no contaminants. Examination found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
The flight instructor (CFI) who conducted most of the student's training described him as having high-achieving and performance traits, with a "go-go-go" personality and a fast-paced lifestyle managing a telecommunications business. The CFI noted the student was an accomplished motorcycle racer. The CFI expressed concern that the student might "push too hard" regarding weather, fatigue, or maintenance to support business trips and instructed him on avoiding overextension. As the annual inspection expiration approached, the CFI advised the student not to let that deadline drive the test schedule. After the accident, the CFI learned the pilot faced additional personal and business stressors.
The student recorded only 0.6 hours of simulated instrument time with a vision-restricting device during test preparation. The CFI never flew with the student in actual instrument meteorological conditions.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy performed on December 2, 2013, at Montrose Memorial Hospital determined the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries. Toxicological testing by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs, except for Acetaminophen.