Cessna TR182 accident near Casper, Wyoming, June 27, 2015
On June 27, 2015 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna TR182, registered N4751S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Casper, Wyoming (Natrona County Intl Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper repair of the carburetor heat cable sheath to clamp joint, which prevented the proper operation of the carburetor heat and resulted in the loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2015 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Casper, Wyoming · Natrona County Intl Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TR182, built 1979 · all TR182s on the register
- Registration
- N4751S · no longer on the register · serial R18201413
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight. Immediately after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger attempted to restore engine power but were unsuccessful. The airplane was unable to return to the airport, and the pilot conducted a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted terrain beyond the airport perimeter fence. An examination of the engine revealed that the sheath for the carburetor heat cable was separated from the clamp. A black rubber adhesive was found at the joint between the sheath and the clamp, but it was not securing the clamp to the joint. The carburetor heat at the carburetor was partially on, and the position could not be changed when actuated by the control knob in the cabin. An examination of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no further anomalies. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, it could not be determined whether carburetor icing played a role in the loss of engine power. Even if carburetor icing had not accumulated, the separation of the sheath from the clamp would have prevented the proper operation of the carburetor heat, and the partial carburetor heat would have resulted in the loss of engine power at takeoff.
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 initial climb defining event
- Landing gear not configured during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,143 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: July 17, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,390 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 4,990 as pilot in command; 1,581 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 17, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,170.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 6, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,112 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D (piston); 2,174 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCPR Casper WY
- Destination: KJAC Jackson WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 8,679 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KCPR, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 12, 2016. 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, 13 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Aviation Fuel Examination Results | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Carburetor Icing Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 2 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.