NTSB Factual Report

On April 28, 2004, at 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N2277M, registered to JFC Aircraft Incorporated and operated by an un-certificated pilot collided with the ground while maneuvering erratically near Sale Creek, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed from an unknown location at an undetermined time.

According to local authorities, they observed the airplane flying in an erratic manner. The airplane disappeared in the distance and a 911 emergency call was reported that an airplane had gone down. Local authorities that arrived on scene stated that the pilot stated "that the airplane was running out of gas before it collided with the ground". The local authorities also reported that the pilot "had a strong odor of intoxicant" coming from his person. The owner of the airplane reported that the pilot in command was unauthorized to use the airplane.

Examination of the airplane revealed approximately 12 gallons of blue colored fuel was found in the right tank, and the left tank was empty. Auto gas fuel placards were near the fuel filler ports, and the tanks were not breached. Further examination revealed that the airplane rested in a nose low attitude and the engine was displaced to the left, and the engine was displaced downward and remained attached to the engine mounts. During the post-accident examination, the engine was prepared for a functional test. The engine started, ran for 10 minutes and developed power.

Review of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department incident report revealed that the pilots had an alcohol level of (Alcohol Medical test showed 212 MG/DL (0.212%).

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, and the pilot's alcohol impairment that resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground.