# NTSB CHI83FA445: Cessna 182B, N2531G, Constantine, MI, September 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1983, 23:15 local (Sep 26, 1983, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Constantine, MI
- Coordinates: 41.830898, -85.659545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8309&lon=-85.6595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA445
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA445

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT ON A DARK NIGHT. DURING THE FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD. JUST PRIOR TO THE INITIAL IMPACT, THERE WAS APRX A 15 DEG DESCENDING ANGLE CUT THRU THE CORN IN THE DIRECTION OF FLT & A 30 DEG ANGLE CUT TO THE RIGHT. GREEN LENS MATERIAL WAS FOUND AT/NEAR THE INITAIL IMPACT POINT. AN INVESTIGATION WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. ACCORING TO A WX SUMMARY, THE CLOUD BASES WERE ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN AT 1200 TO 1500 FT AGL, CLOUD TOPS AT 10,000 FT MSL, FLT VISIBILITY ZERO IN CLOUDS & GREATER THAN 3 MI BELOW THE CLOUDS, LIGHT TURBULENCE BELOW 10,000 FT MSL & FREEZING LEVEL ABOVE 10,000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2531G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2531G-1984-05-26), registration cancelled 1984-05-26, S/N 51831 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51831
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dwight J. Begerow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1982
- Departed: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 28 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 19830925051709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830925051709A), Sep 25, 1983: Cessna 182B, Constantine, MI, Destroyed. Lost control and crashed en route at night VFR in worsening weather. VFR flight not recommended in briefing.

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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