Cessna 182M accident near Hot Springs, Arkansas, March 24, 2011
On March 24, 2011 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna 182M, registered N70922, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 24, 2011 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hot Springs, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182M · all 182Ms on the register
- Registration
- N70922 · no longer on the register · serial 18259421
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were approaching their destination airport on a cross-country flight when the pilot made a mayday call on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). People monitoring the CTAF reported that the pilot stated that he had lost engine power and would not be able to reach the airport. They added that the pilot stated he was going to attempt a forced landing west of the airport. Witnesses reported that the airplane was low and quiet as it passed overhead. One witness reported that the airplane’s left wing impacted a tree branch, spinning the airplane around before it collided with the ground. The airplane came to rest in an open rolling field that was surrounded by trees. An on-site examination of the airplane revealed the wing fuel tanks had been breached during the collision; however, fuel was present on site. Further examination of the airframe and engine failed to identify any preimpact abnormalities. The airplane was operating in weather conditions that were not favorable for the formation of carburetor icing at the time of the accident. A reason for the loss of engine power was not established.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (descent)
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 333 hours in all; 241 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 2, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,699 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 26, 2010
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Carlsbad NM
- Destination: Hot Springs AR
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KHOT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.