# NTSB FTW95FA071: Cessna 182G, N3229S, Muskogee, OK, December 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 20, 1994, 18:54 local (Dec 21, 1994, 00:54 UTC) - Place: Muskogee, OK - Coordinates: 35.740745, -95.349052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7407&lon=-95.3491&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 21, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19199 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95FA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19199/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA071 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AFTER INADVERTENTLY FLYING INTO ADVERSE WEATHER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, THE LOW CEILING, THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER, AND HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, unknown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF ON RUNWAY 13 AND FLEW INTO A 200 FOOT OVERCAST A FEW SECONDS AFTER TAKEOFF. DARK NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED THROUGHOUT THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE 212 HOUR PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 3.7 HOURS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME. THERE WAS NO RECORD THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE THE FLIGHT. WRECKAGE OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1/2 MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. IMPACT WAS ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 300 DEGREES AND THE WRECKAGE WAS DISTRIBUTED OVER AN AREA ABOUT 350 FEET LONG. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL OR STRUCTURAL MALFUNCTION WAS DISCOVERED. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 20, 1994, at 1854 central standard time, a Cessna 182G, N3229S, was destroyed when it impacted terrain after takeoff from Davis Field (MKO), Muskogee, Oklahoma. The private pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured. No flight plan was filed and dark night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, personal flight. The non-instrument rated pilot was taking his grandchildren for a flight to view the Christmas lights in the local area. According to witnesses, the aircraft was observed entering the low overcast ceiling after takeoff from runway 13. The wreckage of the aircraft was located about 1/2 mile southeast of the departure end of the runway. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot was issued his private pilot certificate on April 8, 1989. According to the pilot's logbook, he accumulated a total of 3.7 hours of simulated (hood) instrument time. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft was equipped for flight in instrument conditions. A review of airframe and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The Automatic Weather Observation Service (AWOS) observation for MKO at the time of the accident was a ceiling of 200 foot overcast with 5 miles visibility. Temperature was 46 degrees, with a dew point of 45 degrees. The altimeter was 30.11 inches and the winds were light from the southeast. A witness who was at the airport at the time of the accident stated that he observed the clouds to be "very low". No record was found indicating that the pilot received a weather briefing prior to the flight. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Total wreckage distribution, including ground scars, encompassed a linear rectangular area 350 feet long and 50 feet wide on a center line heading of 300 degrees magnetic. All aircraft components and wreckage were located within 350 feet from the initial point of ground contact. The main wreckage came to rest on a measured heading of 300 degrees. The propeller assembly separated from the engine at the propeller flange, but both blades remained attached to the hub. One blade was found bent 90 degrees towards the cambered side, and twisted toward the direction of rotation. The other blade was bent 90 degrees towards the non-cambered side, and twisted toward the direction of rotation. Examination of the engine revealed no signatures of lubrication or thermal distress within the engine. Continuity was established to all the cylinders and to the accessory drive. Flight control cable continuity could not established due to fire damage in the cabin area. The flaps were found in the retracted position. The elevator trim tab was found in the 5 degree down (nose up) position. Examination of the aircraft and engine at the accident site did not disclose any structural or mechanical anomalies. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The autopsy was performed by Bruce Carrico, M.D., at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Oklahoma. Toxicological tests were negative. FIRE A postimpact fire destroyed the aircraft. No evidence of preimpact fire was found during the investigation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the owner's representative at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3229S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3229S-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 18255729, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255729 - Airframe hours: 5508 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Three Rivers Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1993 - Departed: MKO - Airport: MKO, Davis Field, runway 13, 7,200 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 212 total, 177 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MKO, 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 19941220041929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941220041929A), Dec 20, 1994: Cessna 182G, Muskogee, OK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR low time pilot departed at night into low ceiling. Spatial disorientation and spiral dive to ground indicated. 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.