Cessna 182T N963LP

Summary

On 27 September 2003 at about 15:03 local time, a Cessna 182T registered N963LP was involved in an accident near Concord, Massachusetts, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 September 2003 at 15:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Concord, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Laurence G Hanscom Field (BED)

Coordinates

42.4925, -71.3525

Aircraft

Cessna 182T

Registration

N963LP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fulton → Bedford

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03FA205

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. A factor was the low ceilings.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the Cessna 182 initiated an ILS approach in IMC conditions. The airplane passed over the outer marker about 550 feet high, and then entered a descent of 1,200 feet in 40 seconds, after which it entered a left turn. When questioned by the local controller, the pilot reported headings that were consistent with his radar track. The airplane completed over 360 degrees of turn prior to descending into the trees, left wing down, in a steep bank. The pilot's answer to questions from the controller were sometimes delayed and/or incomplete, and when instructed to execute a missed approach, the pilot did not know what heading to fly. Examination of one navigation radio found it set for the ILS frequency. No information was obtained from the other radio due to impact damage. There was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the engine or airplane. A witness who initially found the airplane reported a strong smell of fuel at the accident site. An FAA inspector who administered the pilot's last flight review, and instrument competency check 13 months prior to the accident reported the pilot was adequate for his rating, and level of experience, and he was familiar with the airplane. There was no information available after that flight check, and the pilot's recency of experience, and instrument experience was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.