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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 23, 1991 · Cessna 182A · N4718D

Warm Springs, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 23, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Warm Springs, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N4718D
Operator
Mattei Paul J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL91LA045

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE ENGINE RUNUP, THE RIGHT MAG DROP WAS SIGNIFICANT. WITH THE MAG SWITCH BACK ON BOTH, IT WAS OK. AGAIN ON THE RIGHT MAG THE ENGINE BACKFIRED & QUIT. IT WAS STARTED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RPM DROP ON THE RIGHT MAG. PUFFS OF SMOKE WERE OBSERVED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. HE GOT OUT, OPENED THE COWLING, & SAW FLAMES. THE LOCAL FD PUT OUT THE FIRE. AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THAT THE FIRE INITIATED FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO BURNED BUT NOT THE INTERIOR SIDE OF THE FIREWALL. A SHORT APPEARED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR FROM AN UNDETERMINED SOURCE.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE ENGINE RUNUP, THE RIGHT MAG DROP WAS SIGNIFICANT. WITH THE MAG SWITCH BACK ON BOTH, IT WAS OK. AGAIN ON THE RIGHT MAG THE ENGINE BACKFIRED & QUIT. IT WAS STARTED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RPM DROP ON THE RIGHT MAG. PUFFS OF SMOKE WERE OBSERVED FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. HE GOT OUT, OPENED THE COWLING, & SAW FLAMES. THE LOCAL FD PUT OUT THE FIRE. AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THAT THE FIRE INITIATED FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO BURNED BUT NOT THE INTERIOR SIDE OF THE FIREWALL. A SHORT APPEARED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EST
Nearest AirportRoosevelt Memorial (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN4718D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMattei Paul J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data