# NTSB BFO92FA038: Cessna 182A, N5119D, Norfolk, VA, March 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1992, 18:09 local (23:09 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.909946, -76.329406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9099&lon=-76.3294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA038

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OVERFLYING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, DESCENDING TO HIS DESTINATION WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR 3.5 HOURS AND THE PILOT WAS ABOUT 12 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT OUT OF 4000 FEET LEVELING OFF AT 2000 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE BAY. THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE PRECLUDED DETERMINATION OF THE FUEL ABOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD 4.5 HOURS OF FUEL ABOARD FOR THE FLIGHT. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5119D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5119D-1992-08-20), registration cancelled 1992-08-20, S/N 51219 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51219
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William T. Parsons
- Registered owner: William T. Parsons
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: TAN, TAUNTON, MA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,150 total, 1,804 in this make and model, 2,066 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 12 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 19920314006269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920314006269A), Mar 14, 1992: Cessna 182A, Norfolk, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost power on descent to orl. Ditched in bay. Wing fuel bladders held by 2 fasteners. No fuel only water in system.

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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