Cessna 182L accident near Canon City, Colorado, February 5, 2001
On February 5, 2001 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 182L, registered N42696, was substantially damaged in an accident near Canon City, Colorado (Freemont County airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb resulting from an excessively rich fuel/air mixture, which fouled the spark plugs. A factor was rough, unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 5, 2001 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Canon City, Colorado · Freemont County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182L · all 182Ls on the register
- Registration
- N42696 · no longer on the register · serial 18259144
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During initial climb following takeoff on the first flight after an annual inspection, the aircraft engine lost approximately 300 rpm and flight could not be maintained. The pilot made a forced landing on rough unsuitable terrain. Examination of the aircraft and engine provided evidence of fouled spark plugs, that the aircraft contained a mix of automotive fuel and 100 LL fuel, and that the mixture was full rich. The aircraft had a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for automotive fuel. Density altitude was 6,400 feet.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,060 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 26, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,167 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2001; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1V6 Canon City CO at 6:58 pm
- Destination: 7V1 Buena Vista CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,399 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.