Cessna 182T accident near Delta, Colorado, May 2, 2013
On May 2, 2013 at about 5:27 pm local time, a Cessna 182T, registered N2012Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Delta, Colorado (Grand Junction Regional Airpor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of propeller control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the airplane’s subsequent collision with power lines during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2013 · about 5:27 pm local time
- Place
- Delta, Colorado · Grand Junction Regional Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182T · all 182Ts on the register
- Registration
- N2012Y · registry record · serial 18281770
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a loss of propeller control during cruise flight, which resulted in the pilot's inability to attain the propeller speed needed to maintain flight. The airplane struck a power line during the subsequent forced landing to a highway. Upon landing, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane, and the airplane veered off the road. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal oil supply obstructions to the propeller control system. Component level testing and examination of the propeller system, which was limited due to propeller damage, did not reveal any anomalies that would result in a loss of propeller control. The reason for the loss of propeller control 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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller controlling system › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Attain/maintain not possible
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 182 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 108 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 3, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,652 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 8, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GJT Grand Junction CO at 4:45 pm
- Destination: GJT Grand Junction CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.59 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from AJZ, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on May 21, 2014. 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 Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Correspondence – Mccauley Propeller | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation – Overhaul Facility | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Correspondence – Overhaul Facility | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Aircraft Logbook Redacted | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Lycoming Service Instruction 1462A | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Party Statement Form Redacted | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Record of Conversation - FAA | PDF, 1 page | 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.