Cessna 182A accident near Casa Grande, Arizona, September 14, 2013
On September 14, 2013 at about 7:24 pm local time, a 1957 Cessna 182A, registered N6324B, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Casa Grande, Arizona (Casa Grande Municipal Airport). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during final approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2013 · about 7:24 pm local time
- Place
- Casa Grande, Arizona · Casa Grande Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182A, built 1957 · all 182As on the register
- Registration
- N6324B · no longer on the register · serial 34224
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while on final approach, he performed the landing checklist and confirmed that the carburetor heat was on. About 100 feet above ground level, he advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The pilot verified that the mixture, throttle, and propeller setting were in the full-forward position, but, despite his efforts, the engine would not restart. He subsequently initiated a forced landing to an open area. During the landing, the airplane impacted a ditch and nosed over. Seven gallons of fuel were found in the right fuel tank, and 11 gallons of fuel were found in the left fuel tank. A postaccident examination and operational run of the recovered engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the reported weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor icing at glide power, the pilot reported that he used carburetor heat, which would have prevented the accumulation of ice. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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 approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, recreational
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 513 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,866 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 30, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 1,092 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCGZ Casa Grande AZ
- Destination: KCGZ Casa Grande AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 5,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.72 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from KCGZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N6324B the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.