History of Flight
On September 23, 2017, about 0742 central daylight time, a Cessna TR182 airplane, N4777T, impacted terrain about 3 miles west of Thief River Falls Regional Airport (TVF), Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed TVF at 0738 en route to Rawlins Municipal Airport (RWL), Rawlins, Wyoming.
Several individuals who spoke to the pilot in the days before the accident said he had flown the same passengers from RWL to TVF on September 17, 2017. The pilot told one individual that he descended through clouds on approach to TVF that day. He returned to RWL, then flew back to TVF the day before the accident to retrieve the passengers. After landing, the pilot asked the local FBO owner about obtaining a sectional chart; the FBO had none for sale but later found an expired chart that the pilot accepted. A taxi driver who transported the pilot from TVF to a hotel stated that the pilot described the flight as "terrible," because he flew at 1,500 ft agl under a cloud layer.
A hotel employee said the pilot checked in at 1655. The next morning about 0530, the pilot was in the lobby checking weather on the hotel computer. The pilot stated that when he arrived the previous evening, he descended through clouds and ice had accumulated on the windshield. The passengers did not eat breakfast and expressed concern about expected turbulence. The pilot checked out at 0640; the passengers hesitated to depart due to weather. The employee drove them to TVF about 0705. During the drive, the pilot asked about the distance to Grand Forks Air Force Base and guessed it was 10 miles west.
Flight Data
A review of FAA ATC and radar data showed the pilot was not in communication with ATC; only 4 radar returns were identified, showing the airplane in a right turn about 2,900 ft agl near the accident site. A Garmin handheld GPS found in the wreckage contained data corresponding to the accident flight. The airplane departed TVF then climbed and descended several times. About 2 minutes after takeoff, it descended to 250 ft agl and quickly climbed to 1,400 ft agl. The airplane then circled near the site in a right descending turn. The final GPS point was about 280 yards west-southwest of the accident site on a true heading of about 20°.
A witness about 1 mile southwest of the site heard the airplane overhead and said the engine was "screaming" before the impact.
Pilot Information
The pilot did not hold an instrument rating; his logbook showed 6.4 hours of simulated instrument conditions. The logbook entry for the September 17 flight from RWL to TVF included the remark: "[passengers flown to TVF for] training at Arctic Cat. Very smooth and cold. Had to fly around and under clouds most of the way." The return flight entry stated: "Flew above and between clouds most of the way back. Very windy and bumpy and thick clouds. Went up to 16,500 ft."
Aircraft and Fuel Information
Fueling records from RWL showed the pilot serviced the airplane with 81.1 gallons of 100LL on September 20, 2017. The TVF FBO manager stated the pilot purchased about 55 gallons of 100LL on September 22.
Meteorological Information
No evidence was found that the pilot obtained an official preflight weather briefing; the only indication was from the hotel employee. At 0701, the TVF AWOS reported wind from 340° at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, overcast ceiling 400 ft agl, temperature 50°F, dew point 48°F. At 0801, conditions were similar with wind from 310° at 7 knots.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was in a harvested wheat field next to a gravel road. The debris path began with a ground impact mark containing broken green glass from the right wing navigation light, heading 060° for about 230 yards. The airplane was highly fragmented; all major components were present. Isolated postimpact fire damage was observed on the left wing, parts of seats, and some baggage. Fuel blighting was seen throughout. The fuel selector handle and valve were both positioned to BOTH. The landing gear handle was in the gear-extended position; the left main landing gear was retracted. Seats were separated from rails. Flight control cable continuity was not established due to fragmentation. The engine came to rest upright 10 ft beyond the fuselage, loosely attached by the stretched propeller governor control cable. The three-bladed propeller was impact separated at the crankshaft flange; blades exhibited various damage. During postaccident examination, the engine was rotated by hand; thumb suction and compression were obtained on cylinders 2, 4, 5, and 6. No preimpact anomalies were observed that would have precluded normal engine operation. The heading indicator and turn coordinator showed rotational scoring consistent with rotation at impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy concluded the cause of death was blunt force trauma. No significant coronary artery disease was found, but microscopic focal areas of fine fibrosis suggested prior ischemic episodes. Toxicology tests were positive for salicylates (aspirin) in the urine and negative for other substances.