# NTSB MIA87FA231: Cessna 182A, N4741D, Pensacola, FL, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 04:40 local (09:40 UTC)
- Place: Pensacola, FL
- Coordinates: 30.339679, -87.369758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3397&lon=-87.3698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA231

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT JUST AFTER LIFTOFF HE FLEW INTO A LAYER OF HAZE AND BECAME DISORIENTED, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED, CRASHED INTO A DIRT MOUND, SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO REST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN EXPLODED AND WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4741D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4741D-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 34841 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34841
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Angus H. Ruperts
- Registered owner: Angus H Rupert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: MTO, MATUNE, IL
- Airport: 82J, Ferguson, runway 36, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,630 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS

## 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 19870823047329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823047329A), Aug 23, 1987: Cessna 182A, Pensacola, FL, Destroyed. Took off at night into a fog and haze layer. Spatial disorientation. Stalled crashed off end of runway.

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.

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