# NTSB BFO88FA009: Cessna 182D, N8886X, South Hill, VA, November 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1987, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: South Hill, VA
- Coordinates: 36.720329, -78.120056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7203&lon=-78.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON THE THIRD LEG OF A TRIP BETWEEN TAMPA, FL AND SUSSEX, NJ. THE PREVIOUS TWO STOPS WERE MADE BECAUSE OF ADVERSE WX CONDITIONS. BEFORE THIS FLIGHT HE WAS ADVISED BY FSS THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN BUT DID NOT ACTIVATE IT. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT WAS FLYING NORTHEAST BELOW A LOW OVERCAST. SOME WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS FLYING IN CLOUDS. ONE WITNESS SAID THE CLOUDS WERE AT TREETOP LEVEL. THE ACFT REVERSED COURSE AND SOON AFTERWARDS IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. ONE WITNESS SAID THAT BEFORE THE ACFT DESCENDED IT PITCHED UP AND IT SPUN DURING THE DESCENT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A REMOTE WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8886X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8886X-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 18253286 (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: 18253286
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: L. H. Lothian & G. Buchman, Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Departed: FLO, FLORENCE, SC
- Destination: MELFA, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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