Cessna 182S accident near Alcova, WY
On March 21, 2023, a Cessna 182S (airplane) was involved in an accident near Alcova, WY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 21, 2023
- Place
- Alcova, WY
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182S · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.458°N, 106.645°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230322106928
Official records · WPR23FA137
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn March 21, 2023, about 1601 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 182S, N314FR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Alcova, Wyoming. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The operator reported that the pilot departed Evanston-Uinta County Airport - Burns Field (EVW) Evanston, Wyoming, for an aerial pipeline patrol flight. The operator's flight tracking data showed the airplane's flight track about 30 miles south of Casper, Wyoming, near the accident location in mountainous terrain. The flight track showed no further movement from the accident area and the operator notified Flight Service of a possible mishap. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) subsequently issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT). A company pilot reported that he received an “SOS alert” message about the possible downed airplane and proceeded to the area. He and another company pilot arrived at the coordinates provided and conducted a search for the plane. He flew over the area for about an hour before having to land for fuel. After he departed the area, the other pilot located the airplane. During his flight he had been flying at approximately 1,000 ft agl and noted that it was “fairly windy” and gusty that day. He also experienced some areas of moderate and mountain wave turbulence. It had been bumpy most of the day, but north of Laramie, Wyoming, it seemed to worsen. He did not encounter any significant up or down drafts, but he stated that he would not have been
Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
More accidents in WY
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47E, Jul 26, 2024
- Cessna 441, Aug 29, 1986
- Cessna 182A, Mar 13, 2016
- Cessna T310R, Jul 18, 2015
- Piper PA-32R-301T, Oct 9, 2012
Browse: Wyoming · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
