# NTSB NYC04LA014: Cessna 182G, N3419S, Athol, MA, October 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2003, 16:23 local (20:23 UTC) - Place: Athol, MA - Coordinates: 42.533332, -72.291664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5333&lon=-72.2917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cessna Aircraft Company - Dept. 175, FAA/FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58221 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58221/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA014 ## Probable cause The loss of power due to disengagement of the magneto idler gear. Also causal was the improper reinstallation of the magneto during the annual inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - accessory drive assy,drive gear - disengaged (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot had no memory of the accident flight, but recalled that his intention was to practice instrument procedures in visual meteorological conditions. A witness observed the airplane on a "modified right base" to the airport, and shortly after heard the airplane's impact with a lake. Examination of the engine revealed the magneto idler gear support pin and gasket were dislodged from the two attachment studs. The lock washers and both nuts for the attachment studs were not located, and the threads on the studs were unremarkable. Upon removal of the right magneto, the idler gear was observed disengaged from the magneto drive gears. No additional mechanical anomalies were observed with the engine. The last annual inspection was performed about 77 hours prior to the accident. The entry for the annual inspection in the engine logbook included that both magnetos had been removed during the inspection, and were "..reinstalled...and timed to specs." ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2003, at 1623 eastern daylight time, N3419S, a Cessna 182G, was substantially damaged when it impacted Lake Rohunta in Athol, Massachusetts, after experiencing a total loss of engine power. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated at the Turners Falls Airport (0B5), Montague, Massachusetts, at 1615. The pilot was interviewed and reported that he had no memory of the accident flight. However, he did recall that his intention was to practice instrument procedures in visual meteorological conditions, and he departed 0B5 and intended to return to 0B5. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, one witnesses observed the airplane on a "modified right base" to runway 32 at the Orange Municipal Airport (ORE), Orange, Massachusetts, but did not observe the impact. All other witnesses interviewed did not observe the airplane in the traffic pattern; they only heard an impact with the lake. Examination of the airplane revealed engine oil on the firewall, fuselage, wings, and vertical stabilizer; and a reading on the oil dipstick indicated 7.5 quarts of oil. The left wing fuel tank contained a "sufficient amount of fuel for the flight," and the right wing fuel tank was breached. The fuel selector position was positioned between the "Left" and "Both" detents. The mixture, throttle, propeller, and carburetor heat cockpit controls were all in their full forward positions. Additionally, no rotational scoring was observed on the propeller, and branches observed in the surrounding area did not display any propeller cut marks. The engine was recovered and examined. During the examination, it was noted that the magneto idler gear support pin and gasket were dislodged from the two attachment studs. The lock washers and both nuts for the attachment studs were not located, and the threads on the studs were unremarkable. Upon removal of the right magneto, the idler gear was observed disengaged from the magneto drive gears. Engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed by manual rotation of the propeller. Examination of the airframe and engine logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was performed on December 19, 2002, and the airplane had accumulated about 77 hours since that date. The entry for the annual inspection in the engine logbook stated that both magnetos had been removed during the inspection. The left magneto was overhauled, and the right magneto was disassembled and cleaned. The entry further stated, "..reinstalled both magnetos, and timed to specs." Weather reported at ORE, at 1636, included winds from 250 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots, visibility 10 miles with thunderstorms in the vicinity, a broken cloud layer at 5,500 feet, an overcast layer at 8,000 feet, temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure of 29.38 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3419S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3419S-2005-02-24), registration cancelled 2005-02-24, S/N 18255819, 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: 18255819 - Airframe hours: 3133 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Kamen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 2002, 77 hours before - Departed: 0B5, Turners Falls, MA - Destination: ORE, Orange, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 26, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 849 total, 127 in this make and model, 777 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.37 inHg - Observed at: ORE, 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 20031021026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031021026839A), Oct 21, 2003: Cessna 182G, Orange, MA, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft departed turners falls, MA airport at approximately 1615 LCL. Aircraft was seen on a modified, extended base to final for runway 32 at Orange,… ## Other investigations on N3419S (2) 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 FTW70DPJ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70DPJ10), Mar 26, 1970: Cessna 182 (N3419S), Ardmore, OK, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI66D0618](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0618), Dec 16, 1965: Cessna 182 (N3419S), Meyer, IL, substantial damage 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.