Cessna 182G accident near Cottonwood, Arizona, September 5, 2001
On September 5, 2001 at about 3:40 am local time, a Cessna 182G, registered N3250S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cottonwood, Arizona (Cottonwood airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to obtain/maintain a proper descent rate, as well as prematurely starting his decent during nighttime operations, subsequently colliding with 60-foot power lines 4 miles from the airport.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2001 · about 3:40 am local time
- Place
- Cottonwood, Arizona · Cottonwood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182G · all 182Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3250S · no longer on the register · serial 182-55750
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on approach, at night, the airplane collided with 60-foot power lines approximately 4 miles from the airport. The airplane came to rest inverted. The flight had departed from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was destined for Phoenix, Arizona. The airport elevation was 3,550 feet msl, with a traffic pattern altitude of 4,350 feet (800 feet agl). The airplane's altimeter read 2,850 feet. Witnesses observed the airplane flying at a low altitude and then a dust cloud. They also observed fuel flowing out of the engine. Recovery personnel noted about 12 gallons of fuel was recovered from the left wing. No fuel was recovered from the right wing because it had ruptured. Fuel was observed and smelled on the ground around the accident site. Unsuccessful attempts were made to obtain information from the pilot.
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
- Last flight review: September 2, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,011 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 24, 2001; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Arrow Aviation, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: COS Colorado Spring CO at 9:40 pm
- Destination: DVT Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 4,250 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 am from PRC, 40 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.