# NTSB BFO88FA068: Cessna R182RG, N9997C, Stevensville, MD, July 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1988, 04:23 local (08:23 UTC)
- Place: Stevensville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.990463, -76.300651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9905&lon=-76.3007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED BAY BRIDGE ARPT AT APRX 0415 EDT. THE PASSENGER, ALSO A PLT, WAS READING BACK AN IFR CLEARANCE TO ATC WHEN COMMUNICATION ENDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF DISTRESS. COMPARISON OF ATC AND RADAR TAPES INDICATES THAT N9997C HAD ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN IN CLOUDS AND HAD LOST BETWEEN 700 AND 1000 FEET OF ALT DURING THE RADIO TRANSMISSION. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY APRX 8 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. N9997C WAS LOCATED AND RECOVERY BEGAN APRX 35 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9997C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9997C-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N R18200497, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R182RG
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-00497
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffrey A. Kila
- Registered owner: Jeffrey A Kila
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1987
- Departed: W29, STEVENSVILLE, MD
- Destination: YHU, MONTREAL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: W29, Bay Bridge

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 252 total, 195 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 17 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 19880724027619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880724027619A), Jul 24, 1988: Cessna R182, Stevensville, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. SIC reading back ATC clearance on climbout. Plane observed diving out of clouds into bay. No anomalies.

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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