Cessna 182C accident near Boulder City, Nevada, October 3, 2022
On October 3, 2022 at about 3:00 am local time, a 1959 Cessna 182C, registered N511W, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Boulder City, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation resulting from the failure of an engine oil filter adapter fiber gasket.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 2022 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Boulder City, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182C, built 1959 · all 182Cs on the register
- Registration
- N511W · registry record · serial 52495
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and pilot-rated passenger departed Grand Canyon National Park Airport after a fuel stop in Las Vegas, Nevada. About 30 minutes into the flight the pilot noticed a low oil pressure indication and declared an emergency. Moments later the engine sustained a total power loss and the engine seized. When it became evident the airplane could not make it to the airport, the pilot made the decision to ditch the airplane into a nearby lake. The airplane was substantially damaged during the water landing. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed discoloration of the cylinder and bearing surfaces consistent with high heat signatures due to oil starvation. The engine examination revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies except for the oil filter adapter housing, which was loose, and the gasket was torn and deformed. As the oil level was likely normal at the pilot’s previous stop and the pilot did not notice any unusual reductions in oil quantity during the service life of the engine, it is likely that the oil started to leak during the accident flight. The failure of the gasket likely allowed engine oil to exit the crankcase rapidly, resulting in oil starvation and the subsequent catastrophic failure. A review of the engine maintenance records revealed no entries that the oil filter gasket had been inspected in accordance with the mandatory service bulletin, nor was it required.
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
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 815 hours in all; 384 in this make and model; 321 in the last 90 days; 114 in the last 30 days; 782.5 as pilot in command; 410 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 7, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 540 hours in all; 12 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 1, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,616.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 16, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 4,616 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KGCN Grand Canyon National Park Airport AZ at 1:57 pm
- Destination: KVGT North Las Vegas Airport NV
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 040° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from KBVU, 20 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBVU 030315Z AUTO 04003KT 10SM CLR 28/12 A2991 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on April 25, 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 | Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Attachment 1 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 3 | Attachment 2 to Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 4 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pax) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Exam | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Stratus Service Bulletin SB-001 Oil Filter Adapter Gaskets | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photos | PDF, 5 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.