NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On March 24, 2001, about 1440 central standard time, a Cessna 182Q, N4752N, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Dixon, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Evansville Regional Airport (EVV), Evansville, Indiana. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The airplane was rented from a fixed base operator (FBO) at EVV. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot departed about 1355, and reported that he would return in about "an hour and a half."

The accident site was located on the pilot's brother-in-law's property. In a written statement, the brother-in-law stated, "I was in the house and heard the plane buzz the house. It sounded very low at the time. The plane didn't get outside hearing distance as I could hear it banking. Shortly, [thereafter] I heard it hit the ground. Looking out, it was totally engulfed in flames. Power was 'ON' at impact. I did not hear the engine under stress or missing."

Another resident near the accident site stated she heard the airplane circle her house. The airplane sounded "very loud and very low." When she looked out the window, the airplane was below the trees located on top of a hill. It seemed "slow" and was descending. It then "nose dived" towards the ground, out of her direct field of view, and "burst into flames." Additionally, she stated that the engine noise was "loud and constant" until the impact.

The accident occurred during the hours of daylight approximately 37 degrees, 28 minutes north latitude, and 87 degrees, 41 minutes west longitude.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot was the president of a local real-estate development company. He held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land, multi-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot's log book was not located; however, airport personnel and family members stated that the pilot regularly flew a Cessna 340, which was based at EVV.

The pilot reported 600 hours of total flight experience on his most recent FAA second class medical certificate, which was issued on February 9, 2000. Additionally, at that time he reported he had flown 90 hours in the previous 6 months.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The airplane's maintenance records were partially consumed in the post-crash fire; however, maintenance records obtained from the FBO revealed the airplane had been operated for about 70 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on October 16, 2000.

The airplane's last flight prior to the accident was on March 23, 2001. During an interview, the pilot of that flight stated he experienced "nothing unusual and no problems with the airplane". Additionally, the airplane's fuel tanks were "topped off" after the flight.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The weather reported at an airport about 22 miles north of the accident at 1455, was: wind from 340 degrees at 12 knots, with 16 knot gusts; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 45 degrees F; dew point 18 degrees F; altimeter 30.22 in/hg.

WRECKAGE INFORMATION

The airplane came to rest upright in a field, on a magnetic heading of 260 degrees. Two trees about 75 feet tall were located approximately 495 feet east of the wreckage, on a hill. Several freshly broken branches were observed near the top of the tree to the north. Additionally, the airplane's left wing tip, strobe light and strobe light power supply were observed on the ground near the tree, along with several broken branches of varied thickness, up to about 2-inches.

All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. With the exception of a 9-foot section of the empennage, and an 8-foot section of the right wing, the airplane was consumed by a post crash fire. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the right aileron, elevator, and rudder control surfaces to the forward cockpit area. The flight control cable for the left aileron was intact and could be traced from the area where the left wing was consumed, to the forward cockpit area. Measurement of the airplane's flap actuator jackscrew, corresponded to a retracted flap position, and the fuel selector was found in the "both" position.

The engine was found partially imbedded in the ground. The engine sustained both impact and fire damage. The propeller was separated from it's mounting flange, and both blades displayed "S" bending. The engine crankshaft was rotated about 180 degrees via an accessory drive gear, and piston travel was confirmed in all cylinders. The left magneto was separated from it's mount. Both magneto cases were cracked and fire damaged. Neither magneto could be sparked. The top spark plugs were removed from the engine, and their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. Additionally, they contained a small amount of lead deposits. The fuel pump was heat damaged and could not be rotated; however, it's drive coupling was intact and not damaged. Both the main and manifold fuel screens were absent of contamination.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the pilot on March 25 , 2001, by the Kentucky State Medical Examiners Office, Louisville, Kentucky.

Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Wreckage Release

The airplane wreckage was released on March 26, 2001, to a representative of the FBO at EVV.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.