# NTSB ERA23LA383: Cessna 182, N747UC, Towanda, PA, September 30, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 30, 2023, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Towanda, PA - Coordinates: 41.774, -76.4557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7740&lon=-76.4557&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA383 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193164/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193164 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA383 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/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: 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 pilot reported that the preflight inspection and engine run-up were normal. During initial climb, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot varied the throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat levers in an attempt to restore power; however, the engine subsequently lost all power. The propeller continued to rotate and did not stop completely. The pilot moved the fuel selector from both, to left, to right, back to both, but was unable to restore engine power. He then performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage revealed that adequate fuel remained onboard and no fuel contamination was observed. Subsequent examination of the engine, fuel system, ignition system, and air intake did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of a carburetor icing chart revealed that the airplane was not susceptible to carburetor icing at cruise power for the prevailing temperature and dew point. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 30, 2023, about 1510 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N747UC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Towanda, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane in its hangar, which included checking oil and fuel quantity (55 gallons), and sampling fuel from the fuel tanks with no anomalies noted. The engine started normally and the engine run-up was normal. During initial climb from runway 23, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot varied the throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat levers in an attempt to restore power; however, the engine subsequently lost all power. The propeller continued to rotate and did not stop completely. The pilot moved the fuel selector from both, to left, to right, back to both, but was unable to restore engine power. He then performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot then turned the fuel selector, magneto key, and master switch to the off position before exiting the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. The wreckage was further examined following its recovery to a salvage facility. Before transport, about 20 or more gallons were defueled from each wing (about 40 gallons or more total). The fuel was blue, clear, and absent of any visible contamination. During the postaccident engine examination, the valve covers and the top spark plugs were removed. The spark plug electrodes were intact and gray in color. The propeller was rotated 360° by hand to confirm crankshaft, camshaft, and valvetrain continuity to the rear accessory section of the engine. The single-drive, dual magneto impulse coupling emitted activation noise during the propeller rotation. Thumb compression was also attained on all six cylinders. The carburetor remained intact and continuity of its linkage was confirmed. The carburetor was then removed and disassembled and fuel was noted throughout the carburetor and fuel lines. The fuel was blue, clear, and absent of any visible contamination. The carburetor accelerator pump jet emitted a fuel stream when the throttle was actuated by hand. The air intake and engine exhaust were free from obstructions. Lastly, a magneto timing test was performed, which revealed that the timing was correct. Review of a carburetor icing chart revealed that the airplane was not susceptible to carburetor icing at cruise power for the prevailing temperature and dew point. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N747UC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N747UC), registered now, S/N 18265367, built 1977 (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: 18265367 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3214 - Engines: Continental O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2022, 100 hours before - Destination: UKT, Quakertown, PA - Airport: N27, Bradford County Airport, runway 23, 4,301 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,448 total, 320 in this make and model, 2,228 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: ELM, 30 nm away - METAR: KELM 301853Z VRB05KT 10SM CLR 24/13 A3021 ## 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 20230930016249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230930016249A), Sep 30, 2023: Cessna 182Q, Towanda, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he arrived at the airport at approximately 1445 local time on September 30,2023 with intentions of flying [privacy data omitted], a 1977… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193164. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16457764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memoranda for the record (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16457492&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFRs-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16457656&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 907 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16457732&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-Rel.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.