# NTSB SEA91LA103: Cessna 182N, N8949G, Shelton, WA, May 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1991, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.230628, -123.19915 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2306&lon=-123.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA103

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE WHEN THE PILOT WAS OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE A HARD LANDING AFTER AN INADVERTENT STALL PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN ON A HIGHWAY.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 182N MADE A FORCED LANDING ONTO A HIGHWAY, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WITH A HARD LANDING AFTER DODGING POWER LINES AND TRAFFIC.  PISTON PINS WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE RESULTED IN FAILURE OF TWO CONNECTING RODS AND THE LOSS OF POWER FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HOURS OPERATING TIME SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8949G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8949G), registered now, S/N 18260489, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18260489
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L. Sandefur
- Registered owner: Richard L. Sandefur
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1990, 3 hours before
- Departed: 1S0, PUYALLUP, WA
- Destination: W04, OCEAN SHORES, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,230 total, 768 in this make and model, 1,113 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910511015409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910511015409A), May 11, 1991: Cessna 182N, Shelton, WA, Substantial damage. Forced landing on highway. Made hard landing due wires and traffic. Connecting rods failed. Two hrs since overhaul.

## Other investigations on N8949G (1)

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 SEA71FDA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71FDA16), Mar 31, 1971: Cessna 182N (N8949G), Hysham, MT, 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.

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