PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO, USA
CGLIL
CESSNA 182Q
THE PILOT ALTERED COURSE SLIGHTLY TO THE SOUTH TO AVOID A THUNDERSTORM AND BEGAN FOLLOWING A ROAD. SOON THEREAFTER, THE ROAD DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT AND THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS MOMENTARILY DIVERTED OUTSIDE THE AIRPLANE. SHE THEN REALIZED THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS RISING FASTER THAN THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE. SHE ELECTED NOT TO RISK TURNING AROUND BUT TO CONTINUE AHEAD AND LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE BRUSHED THE TOPS OF SEVERAL TREES. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED ONCE, SLID APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET BEFORE STRIKING A ROCK THAT SHEARED THE NOSEWHEEL, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.
THE DECISION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO FLY AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S ATTENTION BEING MOMENTARILY DIVERTED AND THE AIRPLANE'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE BEING EXCEEDED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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