Cessna 185 accident near Nazca, Pe, October 2, 2010
On October 2, 2010 at about 9:02 pm local time, a Cessna 185, registered OB1808, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Nazca (Maria Reiche Neuman Airport). It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 6 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2010 · about 9:02 pm local time
- Place
- Nazca, Peru · Maria Reiche Neuman Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 6 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 185 · all 185s on the register
- Registration
- OB1808 · no longer on the register · serial 1850148
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 2, 2010, about 2102 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Cessna 185, Peruvian registration OB-1808, operated by Air Nasca S.A.C., on a commercial air tour flight, was substantially damaged, when it impacted terrain after a loss of power during initial climb after takeoff, near Nazca, Peru. The pilot and 5 passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which originated at Maria Reiche Neuman Airport (SPZA), Nazca, Peru. This investigation is under jurisdiction of the Government of Peru. This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by the Government of Peru. For further information contact: Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes de Aviacion (CIAA) Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil Avenida Jiron Zorritos 1203 Lima 1 Peru Central: 6157800 Tel: ( 511 ) 315 - 7800 http://www.mtc.gob.pe/portal/transportes/aereo/ciaa/ciaa.htm
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 (total) during initial climb defining event
Crew member
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air Nasca
The flight
- Departed from: SPZA Nazca at 9:01 pm
- Destination: SPZA Nazca
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
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.