Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Cessna 182P Skylane, N9398G: Accident occurred October 16, 2018 near Auburn University Regional Airport (KAUO), Lee County, Alabama

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Birmingham, Alabama

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N9398G

Location: Opelika, AL
Accident Number: ERA19LA017
Date & Time: 10/16/2018, 2210 CDT
Registration: N9398G
Aircraft: Cessna 182
Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On October 16, 2018, at 2210 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N9398G, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing in Opelika, Alabama. The forced landing followed a loss of engine power about 6 minutes after departure from Auburn University Regional Airport (AUO), Auburn, Alabama. The pilot was seriously injured, and two passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. for the personal flight which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to preliminary air traffic radar and voice communication data, the airplane was receiving flight following services, announced its intention to return to the airport, and cancelled flight following. Shortly thereafter, the airplane declared an emergency, reported a total loss of engine power, and a planned off-airport landing on a roadway.

The pilot provided a written statement and was interviewed by telephone. He said he completed the preflight inspection, engine run-up, and before-takeoff checks with no anomalies noted. During the climb after takeoff, he noticed a drop-in engine oil pressure so he reversed course for landing back at AUO. Almost immediately thereafter, the engine ran roughly, lost power, sparks "flew" from beneath the cowling, and the engine then stopped producing power.

According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at low altitude and low airspeed when he rejected one roadway as a forced landing site, maneuvered to a four-lane divided highway, and ultimately selected the grass area adjacent to an exit ramp for the landing.

After touchdown, the airplane "slid back down the grade" struck trees and came to rest upright. The occupants egressed the airplane without assistance.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second class medical certificate was issued December 12, 2017, and he reported 13,422 total hours of flight experience at that time.

According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1971. Its most recent annual inspection was completed June 4, 2018 at 5,338.8 total aircraft hours. The engine had accrued 360 hours since its last overhaul, which was completed April 22, 2013

At 2146, the weather recorded at AUO included scattered clouds at 700 feet and wind from 020° at 5 knots. The temperature was 22°C, and the dew point was 21°C. The altimeter setting was 30.17 inches of mercury.

Examination of photographs revealed that the airplane's wings, fuselage, and empennage all sustained substantial impact damage. In addition, holes were observed in the top of both engine crankcase halves on either side of the fuel manifold. A fractured connecting rod was visible outside the engine case wedged between the Nos. 1 and 3 cylinders.

The airplane was retained for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9398G
Model/Series: 182 P
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Avion Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAUO, 650 ft msl
Observation Time: 2146 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 21°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 700 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 20°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.17 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Auburn, AL (AUO)
Destination: Athens, GA (AHN)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: Fire At Unknown Time
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.633333, -85.368333 (est)


A Cessna 182P Skylane crash-landed late Tuesday night on the Exit 60 ramp off Interstate 85 in Opelika.

There were three occupants, including the pilot. No serious injuries occurred, according to Opelika Fire Chief Byron Prather. However, one occupant was taken to East Alabama Medical Center for minor injuries.

According to the occupants, who did not wish to be identified, the plane ran out of oil, causing the engine to seize up.

No incident report with their identities or information about the plane was available late Tuesday night, as officials continued to work the scene.

Opelika police, fire and other first-responders were on the scene of the crash.

The occupants were flying home to Athens, Ga., at the time of the crash.

It appeared at the scene that the plane had made its emergency landing and then smashed into trees alongside the road. The plane received major damage.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Traffic Safety Board were notified of the crash. Both agencies will send representatives to investigate the crash, according to a release issued by Opelika Police Capt. Shane Healey.

Traffic was not disrupted by the incident and both the entrance and exit ramps for Exit 60 are open. However, first responders will continue to be present until the investigation is completed and the airplane is removed from the scene.

The investigation and the airplane removal are expected Wednesday morning, officials said.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.oanow.com








One person was injured when a single-engine plane crashed into the edge of the woods near Interstate 85 in Opelika Tuesday night, Opelika police said.

Around 10:10 p.m., Opelika police responded to a report of a plane crash near the Marvyn Parkway entrance ramp to I-85.

Police said a single-engine private plane crashed into the edge of the woods near the entrance ramp.

Three people were in the plane at the time of the crash, police said.

One of the occupants was taken to East Alabama Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The other two occupants were not injured, police said.

The crash did not affect traffic on I-85. Police said both exit and entrance ramps are open, but urged motorists to use caution when entering I-85.

The plane will be removed from the scene Wednesday morning, police said.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified and will be investigating the crash, police said.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.al.com

1 comment: