# NTSB ATL91FA031: Cessna 182E, N9383X, Saluda, NC, December 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1990, 21:35 local (Dec 30, 1990, 02:35 UTC)
- Place: Saluda, NC
- Coordinates: 35.230026, -82.340919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2300&lon=-82.3409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA031

## Probable cause

THE CONTINUED VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WERE FOG, RAIN, AND LOW CEILING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA ENROUTE TO ASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED, AND HAD NOT FILED A FLIGHT PLAN FOR THE FLIGHT. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED SIGHTING THE AIRCRAFT AT ABOUT 2130. WITNESSES STATED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE SIGHTING, THE WEATHER IN THE AREA WAS DARK AND RAINING, AND THE VISIBILITY WAS GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO FOG. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER APPROXIMATELY 372 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9383X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9383X-1991-12-17), registration cancelled 1991-12-17, S/N 18253783 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182053783
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kaminsky, Russell
- Registered owner: Kaminsky, Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PUNTA GORDA, FL
- Destination: AVL, ASHVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 203 total, 157 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F

## Other investigations on N9383X (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 MIA85LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA080), Jan 14, 1985: Cessna 182E (N9383X), Ft Myers, FL, 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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