# NTSB ERA13LA241: Cessna 182E, N817JT, Southwick, MA, May 13, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 2013, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Southwick, MA
- Coordinates: 42.074443, -72.817497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0744&lon=-72.8175&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA Windsor Locks FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 86885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86885/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86885
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA241

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he departed with sufficient fuel for the flight. The airplane was in cruise flight when the engine started losing power and running roughly. He enriched the fuel mixture and applied carburetor heat (the weather conditions were right on the edge for potential for carburetor icing), but the engine continued to run roughly. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from both tanks to the left tank, and the engine momentarily ran smoothly; however, the engine again started running roughly. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from the left to the right tank and then back to both tanks, but the engine continued to run roughly. He then decided to perform a precautionary landing with a tailwind because he did not have the time or altitude to turn to land into the wind. The pilot's decision to land with a tailwind was appropriate given the partial loss of engine power. The airplane landed about halfway down the runway, departed the left side of the runway, and impacted the raised edge of a road, resulting in the nose landing gear breaking off. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. After the accident, fuel was found spilled out of the airplane, which indicates that the airplane had some fuel on board; however, the amount could not be determined. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On May 13, 2013, about 1215 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N817JT, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after performing a precautionary landing at Cannizzaro Field Airport (28MA), Southwick, Massachusetts. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed from Newport State Airport (UUU), Newport, Rhode Island, about 1130 and was destined to Columbia County Airport (1B1), Hudson, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight at 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when the engine started running rough. He enriched the fuel mixture and applied carburetor heat, but the engine continued to run rough. The pilot then switched the fuel selector from the "BOTH" position to the left tank position, and the engine started to run smoothly for a short period of time. Within a few moments, the engine started running rough again. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the right tank, then back to "BOTH," and the engine continued to run rough. He then decided to perform a precautionary landing at 28MA. The pilot reported he didn't have the time or altitude to land into the wind so he landed half way down runway 03. The airplane departed the left side of the grass runway, crossed a dirt road, and impacted the raised edge of the road, breaking off the nose landing gear. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported he departed UUU with about 22 gallons of fuel on board. He stated that he checked the sumps of the fuel tanks before the flight and also checked the fuel level with a fuel level indicator. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the engine and found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Compression was noted in all six cylinders. The fuel line was checked for security at the carburetor. All six spark plugs displayed coloration consistent with a normal running engine. The fuel gascolator was less than half full. The fuel sumps were checked and no fuel was found at either sump. The firewall in the area of the nose gear mount exhibited impact damage. According to FAA records, the pilot held a commercial certificate, with ratings for single and multi-engine airplane. His most recent FAA Class 3 medical certificate was issued on July 7, 2011. As of May 13, 2013, the pilot reported 1,700 total hours of flight experience; of which, 147 of those hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The four-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle-gear airplane, was manufactured in 1962. It was powered by a Lycoming 0-470, 230-horsepower engine. Review of the airplane's logbooks revealed that its most recent annual inspection was completed on February 26, 2012. At the time of inspection, the airplane had accumulated 5,720 total hours in service. The engine was removed for overhauland reinstalled on February 26, 2012. The engine had accumulated approximately 25 total hours of operation since major overhaul and annual inspection. Based on maintenance records, the airplane did not have a current annual inspection as required by 91.409(a)(1). The 1151 recorded weather at Bradley International Airport (BDL), Windsor Locks, Connecticut, 10 miles southeast of the accident site included wind from 300 degrees at 9 knots, 10 miles visibility, sky broken at 5,500 feet, temperature 11 degrees C, dew point minus 4 degrees C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury. 28MA is a private, non-towered airport that operates under class G airspace. The reported field elevation for the airport is 250 feet msl. The airport is equipped with one grass runway. Runway 3/21 is 1,600 feet in length and 50-feet wide. Just beyond the end of runway 03 there is a dirt road that runs perpendicular to the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N817JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N817JT-2014-01-14), registration cancelled 2014-01-14, S/N 18254397, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254397
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 5720
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 26, 2012, 25 hours before
- Departed: UUU, Newport, RI
- Destination: 1B1, Hudson, NY
- Airport: 28MA, Cannizzaro Field Arpt, runway 03, 1,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2012; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,700 total, 147 in this make and model, 1,580 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: BDL, 10 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 20130513009399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130513009399A), May 13, 2013: Cessna 182E, Southwick, MA, Substantial damage. 05/13/2013 - N817JT enroute VFR westbound at 4500 ft receiving advisories from Y90 wdr, pilot reported engine out about 8 miles west of baf, flight issued…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86885. 27.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record (FAA Engine Exam) (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA%20Engine%20Exam)-Master.PDF
- Police Report (item 3, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402111&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot's logbook (item 4, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20logbook-Redacted.PDF
- Aircraft Maintenance Records (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF
- Photograph #1: Overhead view (Courtesy of MA State Police) (item 7, .PDF, 8.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20Overhead%20view%20(Courtesy%20of%20MA%20State%20Police)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #2: Front view of airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #3: Starboard view of airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 7.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%233%3A%20Starboard%20view%20of%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.