Cessna 182M accident near Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 5, 2023
On January 5, 2023 at about 5:20 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 182M, registered N71494, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Council Bluffs, Iowa (Council Bluffs Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 5, 2023 · about 5:20 pm local time
- Place
- Council Bluffs, Iowa · Council Bluffs Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182M, built 1969 · all 182Ms on the register
- Registration
- N71494 · registry record · serial 18259643
- 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 the airplane’s engine did not respond to a commanded power increase while maneuvering for spacing due to aircraft traffic. He subsequently made a forced landing to a field. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the forward fuselage when it struck a terrace in the field. A postaccident engine run was conducted and although the test was limited due to the bent propeller, the engine exhibited no anomalies during the engine run. The possibility of carburetor icing existed based on the atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident, but the pilot stated that he had carburetor heat applied during the event. The carburetor heat system worked normally during the engine run. Based on the available information, the reason for the partial loss of 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 approach
- Unknown or undetermined during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 489 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 489 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 10, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,220 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 27, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Neverland LLC
The flight
- Departed from: RDK Red Oak IA at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from KCBF
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCBF 051755Z AUTO 33012KT 10SM CLR M01/M07 A3005 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 22, 2023. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Test Run Notes | 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.