# NTSB ATL98LA013: Cessna 182P, N45834, Opa Locka, FL, November 22, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1997, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Opa Locka, FL
- Location: 25.9000° N, 80.2552° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Opa-locka, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9000&lon=-80.2552&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA013

## Probable cause

the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and failure to maintain clearance above the ground while attempting a VFR approach to an airport with low clouds.  The low clouds (ceiling) and condition of light at dusk were related factors.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - ground
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was flying over the Everglades in 'less than ideal conditions.'  Darkness was falling, and he was unable to tell where the sky ended and the ground began. As he approached his destination, he saw 'low clouds' near the airport and began a descent to go under the clouds. During his descent, the airplane struck the ground. The pilot reported the last altimeter reading was 600 feet. The altimeter was set before departure.

## Factual narrative

On November 22, 1997, about 1815 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182P, N45834, collided with the ground during cruise flight near Opa Locka, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for this personal flight. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Placid Lakes Airport, Lake Placid, Florida at 1730.

According to the pilot, he was flying to Opa Locka, over the Everglades, in "less than ideal conditions".  It was dark outside and he was unable to tell where the ground ended and the sky began.  As he approached the airport, he saw some "low clouds" in front of the airport.  He started to descend to go under the clouds, and struck the ground.  His last altimeter reading was 600 feet.  According to the pilot, the altimeter was set before takeoff.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45834](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45834-2003-09-10), registration cancelled 2003-09-10, S/N 18263897 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263897
- Airframe hours: 2438
- Engines: Continental O-470-S 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alfred Underwood
- Registered owner: Lake Placid Marine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1997, 13 hours before
- Departed: 8X6, PLACID LAKES, FL
- Destination: OPF, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total, 415 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIA, 10 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 19971122041119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971122041119A), Nov 22, 1997: Cessna 182P, Opa Locka, FL, Substantial damage. Departed VFR at night under low clouds intoimc. Collided with ground. W brief was lacking. Pilot poor judgement. (.4) according to the pilot, he was flying…

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.