Cessna 182P accident near Mammoth Lakes, California, July 8, 2009
On July 8, 2009 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Cessna 182P, registered N7314S, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mammoth Lakes, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision to attempt to fly at a low altitude in a confined area of mountainous terrain in a high density altitude weather condition, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2009 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mammoth Lakes, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N7314S · no longer on the register · serial 18265106
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During aircraft refueling the pilot expressed concerns about the windy conditions, as well as commenting the he wanted to “take a look at a mountain range” that was on his route of flight just to the west of the airport. A witness located at the airport reported observing the airplane take off toward the mountain range at a “shallow rate of climb.” A second witness, who resided close to the accident site reported seeing the airplane coming up a draw into the lake area at a low altitude, then enter a left turn before impacting trees. Another witness, who also resides in the lake area, stated that she looked up and saw the airplane coming over her just above the tops of the trees from the southwest. The witness reported that she observed the airplane make a sharp bank to the left before hearing it impact trees as it disappeared behind the tree line. The witness reported gusty wind conditions in the area from the southwest. The airplane impacted multiple 100-foot tall pine trees on a northeast heading, coming to rest in an adjacent meadow. The accident site elevation was 8,575 feet msl, which is about 1,400 feet above the airport's elevation. Mountainous terrain surrounding the accident site ranged in elevation from about 10,000 feet to about 13,000 feet mean sea level. Winds in the area were reported from the southwest at 14 knots, with gusts to 26 knots. Density altitude was calculated to be 11,300 feet. All airplane components necessary for flight were located at the accident site. A post accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no anomalies, which would have precluded normal operations.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,043 hours in all; 125 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 28, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,188 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 13, 2009; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne-Continental O-470 S (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MMH Mammoth Lakes CA at 11:15 pm
- Destination: FAT Fresno CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 14 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 11:30 pm from MMH, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.