# NTSB ATL83FA095: Cessna 182L, N3440R, Weyers Cave, VA, February 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1983, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Weyers Cave, VA
- Location: 38.2783° N, 78.8964° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SHENANDOAH VALLEY RGNL (SHD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2783&lon=-78.8964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5888
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5888/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA095

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - distorted (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AN INSTRUCTORWAS INVITED ON THE EXTENDED CROSS-COUNTRY TO HELP THE PILOT WHO ALSO HAD NOT FLOWN FOR SOME TIME. DURING THE PRE-FLIGHT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY COMPLETED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THE ACFT WAS CALLED OVER TO HELP DRAIN THE WATER. THE MECHANIC DRAINED 15 GALLONS OF FUEL BEFORE THE FUEL WAS FREE OF WATER. THE LEFT TANK CAP ALSO WAS FOUND TO NEED A NEW SEAL AND WAS TAPED UNTIL THEY COULD GET A SEAL. THE ACFT HAD TO BE JUMP-STARTED. AFTER STARTING THEY DECIDED TO USE ALL 6000 FT OF RUNWAY 22 FOR TAKEOFF. DURING TAKEOFF THE ENGINE BEGAN TO CUT OUT WHEN IT REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF 100-200 FEET IN THE AIR, REGAINED POWER MOMENTARILY AND STOPPED. THE ACFT TURNED LEFT, LANDED ON A SLOPING FIELD AND CAREENED DOWN INTO A CREEK BED. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE HALF SUBMERGED. TWO OCCUPANTS WERE EJECTED. ONE OF THE TWO DROWNED IN THE CREEK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3440R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3440R-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 18258740, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18258740
- Airframe hours: 2770
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Augusta Farm Land Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1983, 1 hours before
- Destination: ROA, ROANOKE, VA
- Airport: SHD, Shenandoah Valley, runway 22, 6,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830203002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830203002299A), Feb 3, 1983: Cessna 182L, Weyers Cave, VA, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed in a creek. Was over gross. Ripples in fuel cells. Leaky fuel caps and rain.

## Other investigations on N3440R (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC72DCQ38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72DCQ38), Feb 5, 1972: Cessna 182L (N3440R), Wichita, KS, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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