# NTSB ATL88LA169: Cessna 182, N5678B, Raeford, NC, May 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1988, 08:47 local (12:47 UTC)
- Place: Raeford, NC
- Coordinates: 34.969165, -79.220092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9692&lon=-79.2201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA169

## 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
  - ignition system - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 100-200 FT AGL. A WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE BACKFIRE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE IGNITION HARNESSES AND SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS WERE IN POOR CONDITION: SEVERAL IGNITION LEADS WERE DETERIORATED; 3/4 OF ALL LEADS WERE IMPROPERLY CONNECTED TO THE MAGNETOS. THE SPARK PLUGS FIRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BROKE DOWN UNDER PRESSURE, WHEN OPERATIONALLY TESTED. OTHER EVIDENCE OF POOR MAINTENANCE WAS ALSO FOUND, INCLUDING WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE CARB BOWL AND A DETERIORATED CARB ACCELERATOR PUMP. THE AIRPLANE UNDERWENT A 100 HR INSPECTION 4 MONTHS/128 FLT HRS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5678B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5678B-2011-02-28), registration cancelled 2011-02-28, S/N 33678, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33678
- Airframe hours: 3590
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raeford Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 27, 1988, 129 hours before
- Airport: 5W4, Raeford Municipal, runway 4, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 824 total, 403 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880510015309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880510015309A), May 10, 1988: Cessna 182, Raeford, NC, Substantial damage. Crashed on takeoff when engine quit. Many discrepancies found with ignition and fuel system.6 on board 5 place acft.

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.