Cessna 182L accident near Carrollton, Ohio, April 24, 2016
On April 24, 2016 at about 10:15 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 182L, registered N42411, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Carrollton, Ohio (Carroll Cty - Tolson Arpt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with trees and terrain for reasons that could not be determined because no anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction were observed during the examination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 2016 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Carrollton, Ohio · Carroll Cty - Tolson Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182L, built 1968 · all 182Ls on the register
- Registration
- N42411 · no longer on the register · serial 18259007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a personal flight under day visual meteorological conditions. Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control (ATC) radar data depicted the airplane about 0.5 mile northwest of the departure airport. It proceeded on a northeasterly course toward the destination airport and subsequently turned to the southeast before becoming established on a southwesterly course. After proceeding about 3 miles, the airplane reversed to a northwesterly course, and ultimately turned to a southwesterly course. The airplane impacted a wooded ravine about 0.5 mile south of the final radar data point. Variations in the airplane's groundspeed and altitude during the maneuvers was consistent with controlled and powered flight. There were no witnesses to the accident. The site was ultimately located about 5 days after the accident following a ground search based, in part, on ATC radar data. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Toxicology testing found no drugs, and the presence of ethanol in urine but not blood suggests that the ethanol was from sources other than ingestion.
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
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,800 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,943 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TSO Carrollton OH at 10:00 pm
- Destination: 38D Salem OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PHD, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on February 14, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | radar Track Data Plot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Airplane Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Site Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Conversation Summary - Airplane Mechanic | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Specialist's Factual Report - GPS Device | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Attachment 1 - GPS Factual Report | text file | View Download |
| 7 | Pilot's Logbook | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Weather Documentation - Kcak | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Weather Documentation - Kphd | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.