# NTSB ERA15LA300: Cessna 182, N7506S, Hot Springs, VA, August 8, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2015, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Hot Springs, VA - Coordinates: 37.946666, -79.84333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9467&lon=-79.8433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91733/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91733 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA300 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to the failure of a magneto. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane without a current annual inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-pilot-rated passenger had recently purchased the airplane, which had not been flown in the previous 6 years and did not have a current annual inspection. He and his brother, a private pilot, were returning the airplane to their home airport. During the initial climb after takeoff, about 100 ft above ground level, the engine rpm "dropped"; the pilot landed on the remaining runway but was unable to stop the airplane before it departed the end of the runway and nosed over. A postaccident examination revealed that the right magneto did not produce spark. It is likely that the magneto failed during the takeoff, resulting in the loss of engine power. The pilot reported that fuel sampled from the right wing tank before the accident flight had a green tint and postaccident photographs showed green staining on the right side fuselage consistent with a leak from the right wing. The source of the green tint was not determined; however, it likely did not affect engine operation since the fuel selector was set to the left fuel tank, which did not have any evidence of green-tinted fuel, and no green tint was observed in the fuel strainer. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2015, at 1015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N7506S, was substantially damaged when it nosed over after a runway excursion at the Ingalls Field Airport (HSP), Hot Springs, Virginia. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Lonesome Pine Airport (LNP), Wise, Virginia. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, the passenger was his brother and recently bought the airplane to learn how to fly in it. The airplane sat for about 6 years prior to the purchase. After the purchase, a fuel tank bladder was replaced and the airplane was ferried uneventfully from New Jersey to HSP on August 6, 2015. After landing, the airplane was fueled with 45 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline and sat until the accident flight as the pilot was waiting for weather to improve. The pilot further stated that after takeoff, the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level (agl) and then the "rpm dropped." He lowered the nose, landed on the runway but was unable to stop on the remaining runway. The airplane went down an embankment and then nosed over. A witness observed the airplane on its takeoff roll on runway 25 (5,600 ft long) prior to the accident. He stated that the airplane lifted off about 2,500 ft down the runway and climbed to an altitude of about 200 ft agl when it "failed to gain altitude." He said the engine had an audible "sputter" and the airplane then landed back on the runway, went off the end and flipped over. Another witness reported that prior to the accident takeoff, the pilot made an initial takeoff attempt, aborted, and taxied back. The engine was then shutdown, restarted and sounded as if a run-up was performed, and then the accident takeoff occurred. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident scene. The airplane came to rest inverted, with substantial damage to the left wing, empennage and vertical stabilizer. The nosewheel assembly was found separated from the strut. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the aileron, elevator and rudder, and no anomalies noted with the brakes or nose wheel steering. The engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed to the rear accessory gears. Thumb compression and suction was confirmed on all cylinders. The fuel strainer was absent of water or sediment. The left magneto produced spark on all towers when rotated by hand. The right magneto did not produce spark when rotated by hand. The right magneto was disassembled and no mechanical anomalies were noted, but an electrical defect could not be discounted. Additionally, fuel sampled by the pilot from the airplane's right wing exhibited a green tint, and green stains were present on the right side of the fuselage justaft of the door and on the right landing gear strut. The pilot did not report any green tint in the fuel sampled from the left wing, nor was any noted during postaccident examination of the fuel in the fuel strainer. The fuel selector was found in the LEFT fuel tank position. There was no evidence of fuel contamination during the uneventful flight from New Jersey to HSP. Fuel samples taken by airport personnel from another airplane that had recently been fueled, did not exhibit a green tint. The fuel source was sampled and submitted for laboratory testing by airport personnel, the results were normal. The airplane was manufactured in 1976 and powered by a Continental O-470, 230-horsepower engine. The airplane logbooks were not recovered. At the time of the accident, the airplane had not had a current annual inspection, nor was a ferry permit issued for the trip from New Jersey to the pilot's home airport. The 1010 weather observation at HSP included wind from 090 at 4 knots, 10 miles visibility, cloud ceiling broken at 1000 ft AGL, overcast at 4600 ft AGL, temperature 66F, dewpoint 63F, altimeter setting 30.09 inches of mercury. The field elevation at HSP is 3793 feet above mean sea level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7506S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7506S-2018-02-23), registration cancelled 2018-02-23, S/N 18265199, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (Q) - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18265199 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HSP, Hot Springs, VA - Destination: LNP, WISE, VA - Airport: HSP, Ingalls Field, runway 25, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 361 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KHSP, 1 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 20150808012769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150808012769A), Aug 8, 2015: Cessna 182Q, Ingalls Field, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power on takeoff at around 100 ft altitude. Pilot heard stall warning horn and noticed RPM dropped from 2400 to around 1700. Pilot attempted to… ## Other investigations on N7506S (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN83LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA142), Jun 16, 1983: Cessna 182Q (N7506S), Hysham, MT, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91733. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464184&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Fuel Records and Testing (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Records%20and%20Testing-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464186&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photos (item 5, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464187&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 6, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-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.