Cessna 182P accident near Antonito, Colorado, August 5, 2003
On August 5, 2003 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Cessna 182P, registered N1344S, was destroyed in an accident near Antonito, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, the trees, and the mountainous terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2003 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Antonito, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N1344S · no longer on the register · serial 18264907
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses observed a high-wing, single-engine airplane flying at a low altitude in the vicinity of the accident site, at approximately 1200. The airplane was traveling north through a canyon. One witness said he could definitely see the airplane was flying lower than the mountains on the far side of the canyon. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes later, a U. S. Forest Service fire team received a report of bluish-colored smoke "near Elwood cabin." When the fire team arrived at the location, they confirmed that the smoke was from an airplane crash. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. FAA toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot revealed the presence of Amphetamine and Citalophan in kidney and liver tissue. Citalophan is a prescription antidepressant. Amphetamine is a prescription stimulant used in the treatment of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. It has a high potential for abuse and dependence.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 470 hours in all; 230 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,342.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 9, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-S (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 7V9 Las Animas CO
- Destination: SQL Fremont CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 5:52 pm from ALS, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.