NTSB Factual Report

On April 28, 2018, about 1715 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182F, N3377U, was substantially damaged following a reported engine anomaly and a precautionary landing near Boulder, Utah. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by the pilot, who received minor injuries; the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was being operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed Salt Lake International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City, Utah, with Boulder as its destination.

In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that as he orbited the Boulder area while his passengers took pictures, he observed that the engine's exhaust gas temperature gauge was reading high. When power adjustments were unsuccessful in obtaining an optimal operating temperature, as well as being unable to ascend normally, the pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in an alfalfa field. During the landing roll the airplane collided with a ditch line, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and firewall when the nose of the airplane impacted the ground.

The airplane will be recovered to a secured maintenance facility for further examination.