ATL98LA014

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 182A · Waycross, GA · November 23, 1997

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 23, 1997, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
Place
Waycross, GA
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N48310Cessna 182A
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report May 4, 1998
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19971123034249A
Case key
3947

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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.

Loss of engine powerGo-around (vfr)
Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause
Forced landingEmergency landing
In flight collision with objectEmergency landing
Object - tree(s)

Analysis

The pilot stated he was attempting to land after another airplane which had stopped on the runway. He transmitted three times in an attempt to get the other airplane to expedite off the runway. He then executed a go-around using full power and low pitch. According to the pilot, the engine accelerated briefly, then sputtered, and the propeller began windmilling. The airplane then impacted the trees to the left side of the runway. The pilot stated he had both automobile gasoline and avgas in the airplane at the time of the engine failure. The FAA inspector stated that after examining the engine, she found there was fuel in the gascolator, carburetor, and fuel line. She also noted the spark plugs appeared normal, the intake was normal, and both magnetos were able to fire.

Factual narrative

On November 23, 1997, about 1120 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182A, N48310, collided with trees during an attempted go-around at the Waycross-Ware County Airport, Waycross, Georgia. The airplane was operated by Skydive Waycross under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the sport parachute flight. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Waycross about 1030, on the same day.

According to the pilot, he entered the pattern on the downwind leg, and there were two other airplanes in the pattern. He was number two for landing as he turned final. The airplane in front of him was completing its landing roll. The airplane on the runway then stopped on the runway. The pilot of N48310 then transmitted three times in an attempt to get the other airplane to expedite off the runway. The pilot of N48310 then executed a go-around using full power and low pitch. According to the pilot, the engine accelerated briefly then sputtered, and the propeller began windmilling. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane back to the runway. The airplane then impacted the trees to the left side of the runway. The pilot stated he had both automobile gasoline and Avgas in the airplane at the time of the engine failure.

According to three witnesses, N48310 was on final approach when he made three calls to question the intent of the airplane on the runway. The pilot then added power, the engine sputtered, and the airplane started losing altitude. The airplane then impacted the trees after making a slight left turn.

The FAA inspector stated that after examining the engine, she found there was fuel in the gascolator, carburetor, and fuel line. She also noted the spark plugs appeared normal, the intake was normal, and both magnetos were able to fire.

Aircraft

Registration
N48310
Reported as
Cessna 182A
Category
Airplane
Serial number
182-33248
Airframe hours
8,190
Engine
Continental RO470-L16E, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Other work use · Part 91
Operator
Skydive Waycross
Registered owner
Jerry Hoekstra
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility
Last inspection
100 hour · November 19, 1997 · 6 hours before
Departed
AYS
Airport
AYS · Waycross-Ware County, runway 36, 5,230 × 150 ft, asphalt

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
36
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
900 total · 240 in this make and model · 708 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
300° at 5 knots
Visibility
3 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
1,800 ft broken
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 55 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
AMG, 25 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.