# NTSB FTW94LA289: Cessna 182L, N3413R, Ardmore, OK, September 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 1994, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Ardmore, OK - Coordinates: 34.190681, -97.110435 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1907&lon=-97.1104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19154/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA289 ## Probable cause THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A CYLINDER HEAD SEPARATION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE LOW CEILING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE AIRPLANE WAS VFR-ON-TOP FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO PRODUCE A 'SEVERE VIBRATION' AND PARTIAL POWER WAS LOST. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS PROVIDED WEATHER CONDITIONS AND A HEADING TO THE INDUSTRIAL AIR PARK (ADM), ARDMORE, TEXAS, BY FLIGHT SERVICE. THE PILOT THEN CONTACTED FORT WORTH CENTER AND MADE AN IFR DESCENT THROUGH THE CLOUDS. ONCE THE AIRPLANE WAS CLEAR OF THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 400 FEET AGL, IT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. DURING THE CONTINUED DESCENT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK ELECTRICAL WIRES AND MADE A 'CRASH LANDING' INTO A SMALL MOWED PASTURE. 'THE AIRPLANE ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET BEFORE ENTERING A VAST DEPRESSION, PASSED THROUGH A PERSIMMON THICKET, COMING TO REST INVERTED.' AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE LEFT WING SPAR AND LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE DAMAGED, AND A CYLINDER HEAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BARREL. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 1994, at 1800 central daylight time, a Cessna 182L, N3413R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Ardmore, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight. The pilot/operator report revealed the following information. The airplane was VFR-on-top for approximately 10 minutes when the engine started to produce a "severe vibration" and partial power was lost. The pilot declared an emergency and was provided weather conditions and a heading to the Industrial Air Park (ADM), Ardmore, Texas, by Flight Service. The pilot then contacted Fort Worth Center and made an IFR descent through the clouds. Once the airplane was clear of the clouds, it was unable to maintain altitude. During the continued descent the airplane struck electrical wires and made a "crash landing" into a small mowed pasture. "The airplane rolled approximately 300 feet before entering a vast depression, passed through a persimmon thicket, coming to rest inverted." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site reported he found the left wing spar and left horizontal stabilizer damaged. According to the pilot/operator report, a cylinder head had separated from the barrel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3413R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3413R-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 18258713, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L - Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18258713 - Airframe hours: 2953 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Soloman W. Ward - Registered owner: Swr, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994, 61 hours before - Departed: GVT, GREENVILLE, TX - Destination: OUN, NORMAN, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,036 total, 1,296 in this make and model, 1,741 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940902035029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940902035029A), Sep 2, 1994: Cessna 182L, Ardmore, OK, Substantial damage. Severe engine vibration. Power loss VFR on top. Vectored to airport. Broke out nosed over landing. Cyl had separated 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.