Cessna 182 N1891X accident near Nixon, Nevada

Probable cause

A loss of airplane control while maneuvering due to spatial disorientation after inadvertently entering instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in IMC conditions.

NTSB analysis

The noninstrument-rated private pilot departed on a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain. The airplane was in level cruise flight between 10,000 and 10,500 ft mean sea level (msl) when it entered a descending right turn and impacted steep terrain at an elevation just below an 8,000 ft ridgeline.

The nearest surface weather observations to the accident site indicated several layers of scattered, broken, and overcast clouds, with remarks advising of mountain obscuration in the area of the accident site. Weather satellite imagery depicted cloudy conditions over the area of the accident site with cloud tops over 20,000 ft msl. A model sounding for the accident site indicated near-saturated conditions below about 9,000 ft msl. Although there were no active advisories for instrument flight rules or mountain obscuration conditions, there was an active AIRMET for mountain obscuration conditions close to the accident site.

It is likely that the airplane inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and the pilot initiated a course reversal. During the turn, the pilot may have experienced spatial disorientation as the airplane did not maintain level flight and descended toward the steep terrain.

The wreckage was significantly fragmented, consistent with a high-energy impact. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot's logbook, he had about 3 hours of simulated instrument flight experience.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19FA263 for the full record.