Summary
On August 9, 2022, at 1250 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N727PC, was destroyed in an accident near Centennial, Colorado. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
History of Flight
A witness stopped at a traffic light near the airport observed the accident airplane moving slowly after takeoff. He heard the engine sputtering and described the airplane as appearing to float before it dipped and rose again. Subsequently, the left wing dropped, the airplane rolled right, and it descended into the ground.
Personnel Information
The last entry in the pilot’s logbook, dated July 15, 2022, recorded a 1.2-hour flight in the accident airplane; it was the only entry referencing that aircraft. The flight instructor who conducted that checkout flight stated he had intended to practice stalls with flaps extended, landings with 20° and 40° flaps, and takeoffs with 20° flaps, but the flaps would not extend. They returned to the airport, and the instructor believed the owner would arrange maintenance. A few weeks later, the accident pilot texted the instructor asking if it was safe to fly the airplane; the instructor replied that the decision was between the pilot and the owner. No further communications occurred.
Aircraft Information
Review of maintenance logs showed an annual inspection entry at tachometer time 1,554.5 hours, total time 435 hours, and prop time 435 hours, with an apparent date correction to “2-3-22.” A recovered aircraft time sheet recorded a last complete entry dated August 6, 2022, noting Hobbs In 1,174.5, Hobbs Out 1,175.7, Total Hobbs 1.2, Tach Out 1,561.0, Tach In 1,561.5, Tach Total 0.4, and Fuel Added 38 gallons. At the accident, the tachometer read 1,561.6 hours and the hour meter read 1,176.2 hours.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest in an open field, with all major components present. The left wing separated; damage indicated a nose-low, low-speed impact. No soot, fire, or fuel odor were observed. Flight control continuity was confirmed; the elevator trim was approximately neutral. The flap selector was between UP and 10°, and the flap motor/actuator was fully retracted. Fuel caps were secured with no leakage staining. No fuel drained when wings were raised; pickup screens were clear. Fuel cap diaphragms were intact and vent holes unobstructed. Throttle and propeller controls were full forward; mixture was about one inch from full forward. The fuel selector was in the BOTH position, though separated from the valve stem due to impact; the valve was between detents and debris-free. The system included a header tank per a supplemental type certificate; lines were intact, and the tank contained 1 pint of liquid consistent with 100LL fuel. The gascolator held about 1/16 volume of similar fuel, with no debris; the electric fuel pump contained about 1/8 volume and operated when energized. No fuel was found downstream of the gascolator. Engine and accessories showed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies.
Flight Recorders
Data from the engine diagnostic module showed a reduction in fuel flow prior to a reduction in engine rpm near the end of the recording; changes in fuel flow correlated with engine speed changes.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot’s most recent FAA medical certificate, issued June 14, 2022, required corrective lenses for near and distant vision. Autopsy listed cause of death as multiple injuries, manner of death as accident. Severe coronary artery disease was identified: >95% narrowing of the right coronary artery and up to 60% narrowing of the left anterior descending artery, but no thrombus or scarring. The heart was mildly to moderately dilated; wall thicknesses were normal or low-normal. No other significant natural disease was found. Postmortem toxicology showed no impairing substances.