# NTSB CHI88FA237: Cessna 182RG, N9877C, Zanesville, OH, September 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1988, 06:15 local (10:15 UTC)
- Place: Zanesville, OH
- Coordinates: 39.949172, -82.009712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9492&lon=-82.0097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA237

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING, AND HIS OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS OWN ABILITY WHICH LED TO HIS REPEATED DECISIONS TO OPERATE HIS AIRCRAFT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FACT THAT THE PILOT HAD OPERATED THE AIRCRAFT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WITHOUT INCIDENT ON NUMEROUS PREVIOUS OCCASIONS CONTRIBUTED TO HIS OVER CONFIDENCE/ EXPECTANCY ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE VFR PILOT AND HIS STUDENT PILOT RATED RIGHT SEAT PASSENGER DEPARTED THE AIRPORT WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH EXTREMELY RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES DUE TO DENSE FOG (WITNESSES ESTIMATED AS LITTLE AS 15 FEET VISIBILITY IN AREAS). ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES AND IMPACTED AN AREA OF HIGH TERRAIN NORTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. A LOCAL RESIDENT REPORTED HEARING THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE, LOUD AND RUNNING STEADY, COMING TOWARD HIS HOUSE. HE HEARD A THUD AND THE ENGINE NOISE QUIT. HE STATED THAT IT SOUNDED SO CLOSE THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEWSPAPER DELIVERY TRUCK ON THE ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE AND IT'S OCCUPANTS WERE DISCOVERED ABOUT 4 HOURS LATER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT AIRFRAME/ENGINE/SYSTEM MALFUNCTION/FAILURE. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT FREQUENTLY OPERATED IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9877C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9877C-1991-07-01), registration cancelled 1991-07-01, S/N R18200478 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182RG
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18200478
- Airframe hours: 1379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phillip C. Snyder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1988, 3 hours before
- Departed: 42T, ZANESVILLE, OH

## 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; flight hours: 1,617 total, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ZZV, 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 19880918046339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880918046339A), Sep 18, 1988: Cessna R182, Zanesville, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot departed at night into low ceiling and dense fog. Lost control on climb. 182RG destroyed by tree impacts.

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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