This May 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 182. Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious. Location: Black Hawk, Colo. Aircraft damage: Destroyed.
What reportedly happened: The pilot had filed and activated an instrument flight plan. During the flight the airplane entered clouds and snow showers. The temperatures, compounded with relative humidity, placed the airplane in conditions favorable for structural and induction system icing. The engine lost power and the pilot could not maintain level flight. The airplane began to descend. During the descent, the engine surged. The pilot continued to maneuver the airplane until it hit terrain.
Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to induction icing. A contributing factor was the pilot’s decision to continue flight in conditions favorable for structural and induction-system icing.
For more information: NTSB.gov
I have noticed the vast majority of NTSB reports give a minor (and sometimes unrelated) reason for a crash. In most all cases it is my view that the “primary” reason was because of poor flight training. This report is just one of those examples! After 44 years and over 5000 hours as a Flight Instructor, civil and military, I can tell you with absolute certainty the “probable cause” for this crash was poor flight training and gross stupidity!