VFR encounter with IMC: Cessna 182A Skylane, N2198G, fatal accident occurred on July 7, 2024, near Rutherfordton, North Carolina

• Location: Rutherfordton, North Carolina 
• Accident Number: ERA24FA294 
• Date & Time: July 7, 2024, 21:07 Local 
• Registration: N2198G 
• Aircraft: Cessna 182 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: VFR encounter with IMC 
• Injuries: 3 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194627/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194627

On July 7, 2024, about 2107 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182A airplane, N2198G, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rutherfordton, North Carolina. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.

The pilot believed that inclement weather had already passed his intended destination airport before he departed on the visual flight rules flight. While enroute, the airplane caught up with the back side of the storm and became surrounded by cloud cover. ADS-B data indicated the pilot performed two right 360° turns. During the second of these right 360° turns, a passenger texted photos of the weather surrounding the airplane to a family member. The airplane continued flying south for about 1 minute and began a third right 360° turn while initially climbing and then descending to an altitude of 1,700 ft above mean sea level (msl), about 300 ft above ground level (agl). Toward the end of the flight, the airplane encountered rising terrain due to a mountain in the flight path that was likely obscured by clouds. The pilot deviated to the left, then started another climbing right 360° turn before descending.

Based on reported weather conditions at the time of the accident, the pilot likely climbed into instrument meteorological conditions in close proximity to the mountain. The final turn arced toward the mountain and began a descent until the airplane struck the mountain in a wings-level, nose-low attitude at an elevation of 2,000 ft msl. Review of the pilot's logbooks revealed that, even though he was instrument rated, he did not have the required currency.

Available specimens for ethanol testing were limited to a brain tissue specimen and a liver tissue specimen. Ethanol was detected in only one of these specimens, in which n-propanol was also present, consistent with postmortem microbial activity. Considering this evidence in context of the pilot's extensive injuries, it is likely that the detected ethanol was from postmortem sources rather than alcohol consumption.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.

Along with his flight certificates the pilot was also a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic. The pilot’s most recent flight log entries indicated a total flight time of 1,098.3 hours, including 32.5 hours of actual instrument time and 75.6 hours of simulated instrument time. His last FAA second-class medical certificate was issued with a limitation for corrective lenses to meet vision standards at all required distances. Review of the pilot’s flight logbook dating back to November 19, 2023, did not show evidence of instrument currency in the 6 months prior to the accident flight.