Cessna 182P N41MG

Summary

On 12 March 1996 at about 21:35 local time, a Cessna 182P registered N41MG was involved in an accident near Darrington, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 March 1996 at 21:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Darrington, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.1907, -121.2091

Aircraft

Cessna 182P

Registration

N41MG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Everett → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA96LA067

1 person had minor injuries.

a ditching of the airplane for undetermined reason(s).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he heard a 'significant bang' and a 'clunky metallic sound' while cruising VFR above mountains and a broken cloud deck at 9,500 feet above mean sea level. He reported to ATC that the engine then 'quit.' He stated that he initiated an emergency descent through clouds, broke out of the clouds about 400 feet above the ground, and ditched the airplane in a shallow river because of unsuitable mountainous terrain surrounding the river. The airplane flipped over during the ditching and was substantially damaged. A detailed examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or deficiencies. No evidence was found to support fuel exhaustion or carburetor icing. About 2-1/2 months after the accident, the pilot was involved in another presumed ditching in which he reported to ATC that the engine had quit while cruising VFR on a personal flight. The airplane was not found. The pilot disappeared after the presumed ditching, and later turned himself in to local authorities. He has since plead guilty to charges of False Distress Signals and Mail Fraud.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.