# NTSB ATL85FA173: Cessna R182, N7161S, Seneca, SC, May 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1985, 13:47 local (17:47 UTC)
- Place: Seneca, SC
- Coordinates: 34.680828, -82.950393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6808&lon=-82.9504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA173

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER LAKE KEOWEE NEAR A FRIEND'S HOUSEBOAT. THE OWNER OF THE HOUSEBOAT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING LOW OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK THE WATER. ANOTHER WITNESS ALSO SAW THE ACFT FLYING AT TREETOP LEVEL OVER HIS POSITION. HE SAW THE ACFT GETTING LOWER & HE EXPECTED THE PLT TO PULL UP, BUT HE DIDN'T. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY UNTIL IMPACT. THE ACFT WAS RETREIVED FROM WHERE IT SANK IN ABOUT 80 FT OF WATER, BUT NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7161S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7161S-1989-10-20), registration cancelled 1989-10-20, S/N R18201700 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R182
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18201700
- Airframe hours: 375
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter Czaja
- Registered owner: Peter & Ramona Czajz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GREENVILLE, SC
- Destination: 3HA, CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 80 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 1
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 25 nm away

## 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 19850527020669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850527020669A), May 27, 1985: Cessna R182, Seneca, SC, Destroyed. Aircraft struck water in slight left wing down angle after flying at low altitude over friends houseboat.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.