Cessna 182Q accident near Prichard, Idaho, July 21, 2015
On July 21, 2015 at about 8:46 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna 182Q, registered N759LV, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Prichard, Idaho. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the No. 6 cylinder piston pin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2015 · about 8:46 pm local time
- Place
- Prichard, Idaho · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182Q Q, built 1978 · all 182Qs on the register
- Registration
- N759LV · registry record · serial 18266087
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported that, during cruise on the fire reconnaissance flight, he heard a loud pop, followed by oil covering the windscreen; the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. Despite the pilot's attempts, the engine would not restart, and he initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear separated from the airplane and the right wing impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the bottom portion of the No. 6 cylinder piston, piston pin, and connecting rod cap were separated. Metallurgical examination of the piston pin revealed evidence of a fatigue fracture originating from the outside of the pin that progressed inward until the final fracture along the middle of the pin cross-section. The fatigue crack initiation site did not reveal any material or mechanical defects, such as pits, voids, or inclusions. Examination of the piston, connecting rod bolts, and connecting rod cap revealed fractures consistent with overstress. No additional anomalies were noted with the engine.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,696 hours in all; 161 in this make and model; 260 in the last 90 days; 99 in the last 30 days; 2,574 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 30, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,102 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 14, 2015; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Interstate Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: Coeur D'Alene ID at 6:46 pm
- Destination: Coeur D'Alene ID
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from KCOE, 36 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 3, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Usda Forest Service | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.