Cessna 182K accident near Reno, Nevada, October 15, 1991
On October 15, 1991 at about 9:30 pm local time, a Cessna 182K, registered N2573R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Reno, Nevada (Reno/Stead airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED NON-MECHANICAL REASONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 1991 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Reno, Nevada · Reno/Stead · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182K · all 182Ks on the register
- Registration
- N2573R · registry record · serial 18258273
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM THE RENO CANNON AIRPORT, FLEW TO THE RENO STEAD AIRPORT AND LANDED. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE OBSERVED, AND THE PILOT TOOK OFF. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB BETWEEN 125 AND 150 FT AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING AND LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, ALL ENGINE GAGES APPEARED NORMAL. HOWEVER, ADEQUATE ENGINE POWER TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT COULD NOT BE OBTAINED, SO THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING. DURING ROLLOUT IN AN OPEN FIELD THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN. EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE SYSTEMS FAILED TO PRODUCE ANY EVIDENCE FOR THE POWER LOSS. ALL MECHANICAL SYSTEMS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY.
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: 117 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 108 in the last 90 days; 56 in the last 30 days; 37 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,661 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 4, 1991; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 043 Wells NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 7,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.