Cessna 182S accident near Alcova, Wyoming, March 21, 2023
On March 21, 2023 at about 10:01 pm local time, a 1998 Cessna 182S, registered N314FR, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Alcova, Wyoming. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2023 · about 10:01 pm local time
- Place
- Alcova, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182S, built 1998 · all 182Ss on the register
- Registration
- N314FR · registry record · serial 18280260
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a low-altitude pipeline patrol flight in day visual meteorological conditions when the airplane descended and impacted terrain. According to the flight track data, the airplane overflew Casper, Wyoming, and then turned to a southwest heading for about 30 miles until radar contact was lost; the airplane’s altitude was about 600 ft above ground level (agl) and about 950 ft northwest of the accident site. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A search of archived weather information from Leidos Flight Service and ForeFlight indicated that there were no flight plans or weather briefings requested by the pilot on the day of the accident. It is unknown what weather information, if any, the accident pilot checked or received before departure and through the time of the accident. The weather forecast information applicable for the accident time indicated an AIRMET TANGO advisory was valid for the accident location and time. Supplemental turbulence information in the form of Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG) also indicated light to moderate turbulence for aircraft the size of the accident airplane within 500 to 1,000 ft agl at the time of the accident. A cold front was identified near the accident site, and mountainous terrain environment, with recorded wind of 20 to 30 knots between the surface and 10,000 ft agl, which made for the potential of low-level wind shear (LLWS) and low-level turbulence. At Casper/Natrona County International Airport (CPR), Casper, Wyoming, recorded wind gusts were as high as 31 knots. These conditions were likely also present above the terrain at the accident site, and it is likely the accident flight encountered light to moderate turbulence and LLWS.
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 control in flight during enroute defining event
- Turbulence encounter during enroute
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,630 hours in all; 1,040 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,620.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 14, 2023; 30 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (piston); 5,789 hours total
- Operator: Hawkeye Helicopter LLC
The flight
- Departed from: EVW Evanston WY at 7:25 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 16°F (-9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KCPR, 27 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCPR 212153Z 30017G25KT 10SM CLR 06/M09 A2971 RMK AO2 PK WND 27027/2055 SLP058 T00561094 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on October 23, 2024. 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 | Weather Factual Report | PDF, 23 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Weather - Attachment 1 | GIF file · our copy | Download |
| 3 | Weather - Attachment 2 | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot Rated Witness Statement | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Airframe and Engine Examination | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | ADS-B Data | map file · our copy | Download |
| 8 | ADS-B Csv Data | spreadsheet · our copy | Download |
| 9 | Operator Flight Track Data | map file · our copy | Download |
| 10 | Operator Flight Track Data Csv File | data file · our copy | Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 29 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 12 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 13 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 14 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
Other NTSB records under N314FR 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.