Cessna 182 accident near St. Louis, MI
On May 17, 2021, a Cessna 182 (airplane) was involved in an accident near St. Louis, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 17, 2021
- Place
- St. Louis, MI
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.518°N, 84.551°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210517103091
Official records · CEN21FA220
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 17, 2021, about 1308 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182H airplane, N2430X, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near St. Louis, Michigan. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 pipeline patrol flight. According to the operator’s fleet monitoring data, about 0828, the airplane departed Clare Municipal Airport (48D), Clare, Michigan, and completed a pipeline patrol flight to the southeast. About 1128, the airplane landed at Romeo State Airport (D98), Romeo, Michigan. According to fueling records, the pilot purchased 48.19 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation fuel before he departed D98 about 1206. The accident occurred during a pipeline patrol flight that tracked northwest toward Kalkaska, Michigan. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar data revealed that, during the final 4.5 minutes of the flight, the airplane’s altitude was between 450 ft and 800 ft above ground level (agl) as it followed the intended pipeline. The airplane’s ground track was offset to the right of the pipeline until about 1307:35, at which point it crossed over the pipeline and continued northwest about 1,000 to1,250 ft to the left of the pipeline, as shown in figure 1. The operator reported that the airplane should be flown to the right of the pipeline to ensure that the pilot, who is seated in the left cockpit seat, can maintain an unobstructed view of the pipeline during the patrol flight. Figure 1 – Radar track data Two individuals reported that the pilot posted a Snapchat video shor
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate visual lookout to ensure clearance from the radio tower and its guy wires. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s unnecessary use of his mobile device during the flight, which diminished his attention/monitoring of the airplane’s flight path.
More accidents in MI
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- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14, Dec 3, 1990
Browse: Michigan · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
