# NTSB NYC94LA034: Cessna 182Q, N96666, Nantucket, MA, December 6, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 6, 1993, 16:39 local (21:39 UTC) - Place: Nantucket, MA - Location: 41.2533° N, 70.0605° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NANTUCKET MEML (ACK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2533&lon=-70.0605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 27, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38717/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA034 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE DUE TO ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause) - incapacitation(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE TOWER CONTROLLER REPORTED THAT AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF FROM RUNWAY 24, HE NOTICED IT CIRCLING 1/2 MILE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CONTROLLER RADIOED THE PILOT, BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY. THE CONTROLLER LATER NOTICED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AT A LOWER ALTITUDE SHORTLY BEFORE IT STRUCK THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS REVEALED THAT THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.27%. ## Factual narrative On Monday, December 6, 1993, at 1639 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182Q, N96666, owned and piloted by Mr. John M. Wall, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, struck open terrain on the airport, while in a descent. The airplane was destroyed by the impact and the pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. The airplane departed on runway 24, and then the local controller observed it making left circles approximately 1/2 mile beyond the departure end of the runway. When he attempted to contact the pilot, he received no reply. The airplane continued in the left turns with the bank increasing and the nose dropping. The airplane made contact with the ground in a descending left turn, and debris was scattered for approximately 500 feet. FAA Inspector, Tony Orphanos, said in a telephone interview, there was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the engine or airframe. According to FAA records, Mr. Wall was 67 years old, and held an FAA airmen third class medical certificate, issued on July 1, 1992. The medical application showed a total time of 3000 hours with 50 hours in the past 6 months. Additionally, Mr. Wall's medical application listed a driving while under the influence (DWI) offense from 4 years ago. Mr. Wall had noted on the form that he was going to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings a minimum of 4 days a week, for 4 years. The DWI offense was not listed on Mr. Wall's medical application dated July 27. 1990. Toxicological examinations were conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Massachusetts, and the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicological report from the State of Massachusetts found a blood alcohol level of .27 percent. In addition, ethanol (alcohol) was detected by the FAA in the blood (254 mg/dl), vitreous fluid (272 mg/dl), and urine (242 mg/dl). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96666](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96666-1994-05-02), registration cancelled 1994-05-02, S/N 18266800 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 66800 - Airframe hours: 1004 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John M. Wall - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1993, 6 hours before - Destination: HFD, HARTFORD, CT - Airport: ACK, Nantucket Memorial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ACK ## 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 19931206046069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931206046069A), Dec 6, 1993: Cessna 182Q, Nantucket, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off went into spiral on climbout and continued to ground impact. History of alcohol abuse. 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.