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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 18, 2004 · Cessna 182K · N4GB

Eden, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 18, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Eden, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 182K
Tail Number
N4GB
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA086

According to the pilot, he was conducting a test flight following the installation of an overhauled engine. He said that during the installation he drained all fuel from the airplane and added about 38 gallons of 100LL fuel. After ground runs of approximately 20-minutes with no problems noted he re-started the engine, did a standard run-up and taxied to the runway and took off at 1429. Shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted to return to the airport. As the pilot maneuvered for the forced landing, the airplane collided with the tops of trees, the runway, and flipped inverted. Examination of the engine found the mixture control cable disconnected from the carburetor. During the post-accident examination of the the airplane, the engine ran without any discrepancies after the mixture control cable was reconnected.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power due to improper installation by maintenance personnel which resulted in the mixture control cable becoming disconnected in-flight. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the in-flight collision with trees.

Full Narrative

On March 18, 2004, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182K, N4GB, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees and subsequently the ground shortly after takeoff from the Cypress Lakes Subdivision, private grass strip, in Eden, Georgia. The flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from the private air strip, Eden, Georgia, on March 18, 2004, at 1429. According to the pilot, he was conducting a test flight following the installation of an overhauled engine. Since the airplane had a supplemental type certificate for the use of automotive fuel, and it was recommended by the engine rebuild facility that the 100 low-lead aviation fuel be used in the rebuilt engine for the first 50 hours. Therefore, the mechanic drained the automotive fuel from the fuel system, and replaced it with 38 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel. After ground runs of approximately 20-minutes with no problems noted he re-started the engine, did a standard run-up and taxied to the runway for a takeoff. According to a witness, shortly after takeoff, the engine lost power and the pilot attempted to return to the runway. As the pilot maneuvered for the forced landing, the airplane collided with the tops of trees, descended and collided with the runway, and flipped inverted. The pilot stated that he had been knocked unconscious in the accident and did not recall all of the events. However, he did remember that after takeoff the engine slowly went to idle on its own during the flight. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the hospital. The post-accident examination of the airplane found the engine and the empennage separated from the cabin and cockpit. Examination of the engine found the mixture control cable disconnected from the carburetor. The airplane was recovered to Atlanta Air Recovery where the engine was run. During the post-accident examination of the the airplane, the engine ran without any discrepancies after the mixture control cable was reconnected.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportCypress Lakes (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182K
Tail NumberN4GB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data