Cessna 182 accident near Charleston, South Carolina, December 7, 1996
On December 7, 1996 at about 10:57 pm local time, a Cessna 182, registered N8683T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Charleston, South Carolina (Georgetown County airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to remain clear of instrument meteorological conditions which led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 7, 1996 · about 10:57 pm local time
- Place
- Charleston, South Carolina · Georgetown County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N8683T · no longer on the register · serial 52583
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight was a local search and rescue mission that departed from Georgetown, SC in visual meteorological conditions. According to FSS personnel, the pilot did not receive a weather briefing or file a flight plan. While in contact with Charleston Approach Control, the pilot reported instrument conditions and requested assistance. The air traffic controllers gave him a number of different headings in order to remain clear of the instrument conditions. After the pilot advised that he had less than 30 minutes of fuel left on board, the controller advised the pilot to fly, wings level, through the clouds for 10 miles in order to reach the nearest airport. While in the clouds, the pilot stated, 'What's happening to me'. At 1756:38, radio and radar contact was lost about 28 miles southeast of Charleston, SC. The airplane was found 3/6/97 but it was not recovered. The noninstrument-rated private pilot and his passenger are presumed to have received fatal injuries.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 450 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,667 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GGE Georgetown SC at 9:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,282 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from CHS, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.