Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On May 8, 2008 at approximately 1545 mountain daylight time, a single engine Cessna 182H, N8553S, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a partial loss of engine power near Black Hawk, Colorado. The private pilot was fatally injured and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by Winkmaggair, LLC. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were reported by the passenger and an instrument flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross country flight originated from Glenwood Springs Airport (GWS), Glenwood Springs, Colorado at approximately 1508 and was destined for the Boulder Municipal Airport (BDU), Boulder, Colorado.

In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the passenger reported that at 16,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), the airplane entered clouds with light snow after they passed Eagle County Airport (EGE) which continued throughout the flight. While en route to Boulder, the airplane had difficultly maintaining altitude and the engine began to "sputter." The passenger recalled that the pilot stated that they were experiencing a "mixture problem" and began adjusting the mixture control. While still in the clouds, the airplane began a right turn and continued descending as the pilot attempted to troubleshoot the engine malfunction. Air traffic controllers queried the pilot's heading change and attempted to provide services and altitude warnings. While troubleshooting the engine malfunction, the pilot was observed by the passenger to be actuating all of the engine controls, but mainly the mixture control. The passenger, who is not familiar with light airplanes, was not positive if the carburetor heat was ever activated. According to the passenger, the engine would "sputter" and then "come back to life." Additionally he stated that when the engine would "sputter" the airplane would "nose over." The pilot continued to fly the airplane, and once visual contact with the ground was established, the pilot maneuvered to avoid mountainous terrain until the airplane collided with a mountain at 10,400 feet MSL. The passenger egressed the airplane, freed the pilot, called for emergency services, and attempted to provide medical assistance to the pilot. The accident site was discovered by a local news helicopter; search and rescue parties provided assistance.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 47, held a valid private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument ratings. A valid third-class airman medical certificate was issued on October 2, 2006. The pilot's log book was retrieved at the accident site. The last entry in the pilot's log book was on January 13, 2008 for 3.6 hours of single-engine flight time. The co-owners of the airplane maintained an airplane tachometer time log. On the tachometer time log, the pilot recorded three additional days of flying including 3.5 ho