# NTSB BFO90DID02: Cessna 182R, N4944H, Evington, VA, September 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1990, 22:18 local (Sep 9, 1990, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: Evington, VA
- Coordinates: 37.230648, -79.279808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2306&lon=-79.2798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90DID02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90DID02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE IS FAILURE OF THE VACUUM SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - vacuum system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,heading indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS EN ROUTE IFR AT 6000 FT MSL WHEN THE PLT ASKED ATC FOR THE CLOUD BASE HEIGHT AND THEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS HE REPORTED MALFUNCTION OF THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR. THE PLT ALSO STATED 'ALL VACUUM PUMPS ARE LOST.' THE PLT LATER INDICATED HE WAS UNAWARE OF HIS ATTITUDE. WITHNESSES REPORTED THE ACFT DESCENDED IN A NOSE DOWN AND STEEP BANK ATTITUDE BEFORE IT CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED FOG AND RAIN AT THE CRASH. THE ACFT DISINTEGRATED ON IMPACT AND WAS SCATTERED ABOUT 105 FT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT FLIGHTPATH AT IMPACT WAS 45 DEGREES DOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE VACUUM PUMP DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4944H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4944H-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 18267855, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267855
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Shelby Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Shelby Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1990, 50 hours before
- Departed: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Destination: SPA, SPARTANBURG, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,500 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 8 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 19900908038409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900908038409A), Sep 8, 1990: Cessna 182R, Evington, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost vacuum pump and gyro indications en route at night IMC. Spiral dive ensued.

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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