# NTSB ATL94LA042: Cessna 182D, N8980X, Donalsonville, GA, January 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1994, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Donalsonville, GA
- Location: 31.0065° N, 84.8776° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DONALSONVILLE MUNI (17J), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0065&lon=-84.8776&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CLEAR THE INDUCTION SYSTEMS OF EXCESSIVE FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - starting engine(s)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - induction air control/system - fire (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8980X-1997-07-17), registration cancelled 1997-07-17, S/N 18253380 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253380
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940122000799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940122000799A), Jan 22, 1994: Cessna 182D, Donaldsonville, GA, Destroyed. Problem on engine start. Backfired. Fire in induction system. Failed suck fire in. Also over priming a factor.

## Other investigations on N8980X (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 CHI69F0146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69F0146), Jul 27, 1968: Cessna 182D (N8980X), Macomb, IL, 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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