# NTSB ATL87LA120: Cessna R182, N5496T, Owensboro, KY, April 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1987, 18:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Owensboro, KY
- Coordinates: 37.749973, -87.109275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7500&lon=-87.1093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
  - fire extinguishing equipment - not used, pilot in command
  - electrical system - arcing (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command

## Analysis

PLT IN CRUISE FLT AT 5500 FT ABOUT 30 MIN AFTER DEP FM PADUCAH WHEN HE NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM TOP OF PANEL.  THE REAR SEAT PAX NOTED FLAMES IN THE PANEL AT THE SAME TIME.  THE PLT NOTED HIS POSITION IN RELATION TO OWENSBORO AND INITIATED AN EMER DESCENT TOWARD THE ARPT.  HE STATED THAT WITHIN 30 SEC OF INITIAL SMOKE SIGHTING THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH DENSE BLACK SMOKE AND HE OPENED THE WINDOWS TO SEE AND BREATHE.  BY THE TIME HE REACHED THE ARPT AND LANDED, HE STATED THAT THE FLAMES WAS MELTING THE WINDSHIELD AND HEADLINER.  AFTER HE HAD SLOWED OR STOPPED THE ACFT, HE EVACUATED HIS PASSENGERS AND HIMSELF.  THE FIRE CONTINUED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5496T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5496T-1992-08-05), registration cancelled 1992-08-05, S/N R18201880 (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: R18201880
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jami Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 26, 1987
- Departed: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Destination: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Airport: OWB, Davies Co., runway 35, 6,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,270 total, 55 in this make and model, 2,174 as pilot in command, 212 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OWB

## 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 19870421010669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870421010669A), Apr 21, 1987: Cessna R182, Owensboro, KY, Destroyed. Loran c faulty in cruise with fire smoke behind panel. Fire after landing on airport. Loran installed June 1986.

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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