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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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April 21, 1987 · Cessna R182 · N5496T

Owensboro, KY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Owensboro, KY
Aircraft
Cessna R182
Tail Number
N5496T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87LA120

PLT IN CRUISE FLT AT 5500 FT ABOUT 30 MIN AFTER DEP FM PADUCAH WHEN HE NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM TOP OF PANEL. THE REAR SEAT PAX NOTED FLAMES IN THE PANEL AT THE SAME TIME. THE PLT NOTED HIS POSITION IN RELATION TO OWENSBORO AND INITIATED AN EMER DESCENT TOWARD THE ARPT. HE STATED THAT WITHIN 30 SEC OF INITIAL SMOKE SIGHTING THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH DENSE BLACK SMOKE AND HE OPENED THE WINDOWS TO SEE AND BREATHE. BY THE TIME HE REACHED THE ARPT AND LANDED, HE STATED THAT THE FLAMES WAS MELTING THE WINDSHIELD AND HEADLINER. AFTER HE HAD SLOWED OR STOPPED THE ACFT, HE EVACUATED HIS PASSENGERS AND HIMSELF. THE FIRE CONTINUED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT.

Full Narrative

PLT IN CRUISE FLT AT 5500 FT ABOUT 30 MIN AFTER DEP FM PADUCAH WHEN HE NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM TOP OF PANEL. THE REAR SEAT PAX NOTED FLAMES IN THE PANEL AT THE SAME TIME. THE PLT NOTED HIS POSITION IN RELATION TO OWENSBORO AND INITIATED AN EMER DESCENT TOWARD THE ARPT. HE STATED THAT WITHIN 30 SEC OF INITIAL SMOKE SIGHTING THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH DENSE BLACK SMOKE AND HE OPENED THE WINDOWS TO SEE AND BREATHE. BY THE TIME HE REACHED THE ARPT AND LANDED, HE STATED THAT THE FLAMES WAS MELTING THE WINDSHIELD AND HEADLINER. AFTER HE HAD SLOWED OR STOPPED THE ACFT, HE EVACUATED HIS PASSENGERS AND HIMSELF. THE FIRE CONTINUED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 CDT
Nearest AirportDavies Co. (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length6499 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R182
Tail NumberN5496T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:40
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data