# NTSB ATL92LA067: Cessna 182, N5441B, Barnwell, SC, March 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1992, 21:45 local (Mar 22, 1992, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Barnwell, SC
- Coordinates: 33.239387, -81.360839 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2394&lon=-81.3608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND WHILE MAKING A LOW PASS AT NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, other
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other person

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD TAKEN A NEWLYWED COUPLE UP ON A CEREMONIAL 'MILE HIGH' LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT AS A WEDDING GIFT. HE REPORTED THAT DURING A MANEUVER HE FELT A 'SHUDDER', AND ELECTED TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER AN AIRPORT TAXIWAY, BY SOME FRIENDS ON THE GROUND WITH A HAND-HELD RADIO, FOR A 'LANDING GEAR CHECK'. DURING THE SECOND PASS THE PILOT ASKED THE COUPLE TO 'LOOK TO THE RIGHT WHERE THE MOON SHINES OVER BARNWELL.' THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A SPECTATOR ON THE TAXIWAY. A PAX STATED THAT THE PILOT THEN 'FREAKED OUT' AND WAS IN NO CONDITION TO FLY THE AIRPLANE. DURING A SUBSEQUENT LANDING ATTEMPT, A PAX PREVENTED A GO-AROUND BY FORCING THE YOKE FORWARD AND PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDALS WITH HIS HANDS. THE PAX STATED THE PILOT 'WANTED TO KEEP FLYING AND HE WAS GOING NUTS.' THE PILOT FLED THE SCENE AFTER THE ACCIDENT BUT RETURNED LATER. THE PILOT HAD ARRANGED TO HAVE THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND 'MOON' THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LOW PASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5441B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5441B), registered now, S/N 33441, 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: 33441
- Airframe hours: 4457
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vikings Of Denmark, Inc.
- Registered owner: Vikings Of Denmark, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1991, 100 hours before
- Airport: BNL, Barnwell County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,722 total, 2,903 in this make and model, 5,311 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 30 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 19920321006969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920321006969A), Mar 21, 1992: Cessna 182, Barnwell, SC, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Struck and fatally injured a person on taxiway during a night low pass. Claims pass for gear check. Not verified.

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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