- Date
- January 22, 1994, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place
- Donalsonville, GA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Aircraft
- N8980XCessna 182D
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 14, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940122000799A
- Case key
- 3342
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to clear the induction systems of excessive fuel.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot was starting the engine prior to flight. After having some difficulty starting the engine, the engine backfired, then smoke and flames were seen coming from the induction system. The pilot was unable to extinguish the fire. The fire continued to spread, and the airplane was destroyed.
Factual narrative
On January 22, 1994, at about 1145 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182D, N8980X, was destroyed by fire during engine start at the Donalsonville Municipal Airport in Donalsonville, Georgia. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Albany, Georgia.
The pilot reported that he had difficulty starting the engine. The engine backfired, and smoke and flames were observed coming from the engine induction system. The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft, which eventually became engulfed in flames. The pilot was unable to extinguish the fire, which eventually destroyed the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8980X
- Reported as
- Cessna 182D
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18253380
- Engine
- Continental O-470-L, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Shingler, William M.
- Registered owner
- Shingler, William M.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Destination
- ABY · Albany, GA
- Airport
- 17J · Donaldsonville Municipal
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,622 total · 800 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 43 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- ABY, 47 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.
Other investigations on N8980X · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.