# NTSB CEN12TA604: Cessna 182P, N5981J, Newberry, MI, September 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report - Date: September 2, 2012, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Newberry, MI - Coordinates: 46.310832, -85.456947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3108&lon=-85.4569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-GRR-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12TA604 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84922/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84922 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12TA604 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to distraction from a combination of smoke in the cockpit and a sudden turbulence encounter while on short final approach. The cause of the cockpit smoke could not be determined due to the extensive damage sustained by the airplane during the postimpact fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Turbulence: convective turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 145 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot detected a “hot electrical” odor during the local flight and decided to return to the airport. While on short final, a large puff of smoke was emitted from under the right side of the instrument panel and distracted the pilot. About the same time, the airplane encountered convective turbulence so severe that the pilot hit his head on the ceiling and everything that was on the seats was thrown forward. The pilot stated that he was further distracted by the turbulence encounter, and the airplane entered a nose down attitude and impacted the terrain before the pilot could take remedial action. The airplane slid about 200 feet before coming to a stop and a postimpact fire ensued. The cause of the electrical smell and smoke could not be determined as the fuselage was consumed by the postimpact fire, which likely resulted from fuel lines being ruptured during the impact. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2012, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N5981J, owned and operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, collided with the terrain while landing at the Luce County Airport (KERY), Newberry, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged by impact and a postimpact fire. The public use flight was being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from KERY at 1257. The pilot reported he was on a routine fire detection mission and was about 10 to 12 miles from the airport when he detected a “hot electrical” odor. He stated that everything was operating normally with the airplane at the time, but he was concerned enough that he radioed the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and told them he was going to return to KERY. The pilot reported he entered the traffic pattern for runway 11 at KERY and set up for a stabilized approach to the runway. He reported the air was a little choppy and there was some convective turbulence in the area. While on final approach at a distance of 400 to 500 feet from the approach end of the runway, a large puff of smoke was rapidly emitted from under the right side of the instrument panel under the circuit breaker panel. This momentarily distracted him. At almost the same time, the airplane encountered convective turbulence that was severe enough that he hit his head on the ceiling and everything that was on the seats was thrown forward. He stated the turbulence extended his distraction. When he looked forward and turned his attention back to the airplane, the nose was down and all he could see was grass out of the windscreen. The airplane immediately hit the ground. The nose gear broke off upon impact and the airplane slid forward up onto the runway. It continued to slide about 200 feet before stopping. By the time the airplane came to a stop, there were flames coming up into the cockpit. He suspected the flames were at least in part from damage sustained in the impact. The pilot exited the airplane at which time he noticed his legs were burned. The airplane continued to burn. The fuselage aft of the firewall back to the empennage and the inboard section of both wings was consumed by fire. The empennage was present, but it sustained a substantial amount of damage from the fire. Due to the amount of fire damage, the cause of the electrical smell and subsequent smoke could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5981J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5981J-2012-11-02), registration cancelled 2012-11-02, S/N 18263597, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18263597 - Airframe hours: 7643.5 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Public use - Operator: Michigan Department Of Natural Resources - Registered owner: Michigan Department Of Natural Resources - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2012, 91 hours before - Departed: KERY, Newberry, MI - Destination: KERY, Newberry, MI - Airport: KERY, Luce County Airport, runway 11, 4,304 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 10,135 total, 6,055 in this make and model, 9,325 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KERY ## 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 20120902019579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120902019579A), Sep 2, 2012: Cessna 182P, Newberry, MI, Destroyed. On September 2, 2012 at 1416 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182 single engine aircraft, N5981J, registered to the Michigan department of natural resources… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84922. 924 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 752 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379689&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.