Cessna 182A accident near Norfolk, Virginia, March 14, 1992
On March 14, 1992 at about 11:09 pm local time, a Cessna 182A, registered N5119D, was destroyed in an accident near Norfolk, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 14, 1992 · about 11:09 pm local time
- Place
- Norfolk, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182A · all 182As on the register
- Registration
- N5119D · no longer on the register · serial 51219
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS OVERFLYING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, DESCENDING TO HIS DESTINATION WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR 3.5 HOURS AND THE PILOT WAS ABOUT 12 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT OUT OF 4000 FEET LEVELING OFF AT 2000 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE BAY. THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE PRECLUDED DETERMINATION OF THE FUEL ABOARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD 4.5 HOURS OF FUEL ABOARD FOR THE FLIGHT. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,150 hours in all; 1,804 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,066 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 25, 1992; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TAN Taunton MA at 7:35 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, bright
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from ORF, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.