Cessna 182 N6579M accident near Mulberry, Tennessee

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to recover from a controlled descent for reasons that could not be determined during the postaccident investigation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot departed for a short pleasure flight in day visual flying conditions. According to GPS data, after takeoff, the airplane headed west toward an area of open farmland. About 20 minutes into the flight, the airplane was still on a westerly heading about 700 ft above the ground when it entered a controlled descent from which it never recovered. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the airplane wreckage was located the following morning. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation. No medical issues were identified with the pilot that may have contributed to the accident. Based on the evidence obtained in the investigation, it could not be determined why the airplane entered a controlled descent or why the pilot was unable to recover before impacting terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15FA204 for the full record.