Cessna 182 accident near Willow, Alaska, April 16, 2017
On April 16, 2017, a 1962 Cessna 182, registered N9362X, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Willow, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in the forced landing attempt and impact with power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 2017
- Place
- Willow, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 E, built 1962 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N9362X · no longer on the register · serial 18253762
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, after departing on the personal flight, he observed that the manifold pressure was low and the airplane performance was poor. The engine began running roughly and lost partial power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for an emergency landing on a nearby highway. During the descent, the airplane impacted power lines, then impacted the ground and came to rest vertically against a grove of trees along the highway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the engine, engine accessories, and airframe did not reveal evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The propeller assembly showed blade damage consistent with some degree of rotation at impact; however, the amount of power to the propeller could not be determined. Based on fueling documents provided and the pilot's statements, there was likely sufficient quality fuel for the engine to operate normally. The reason for the loss of partial engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 27, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,972.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 23, 2016; 82.4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-470 R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BGQ Big Lake AK
- Destination: TKA Talkeetna AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PATK, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 2, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Continental Engine Field Report | PDF, 23 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Fuel Receipt and Quality Checks | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.