Cessna R182 accident near Collins, Mississippi, May 14, 2009
On May 14, 2009 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Cessna R182, registered N7392S, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Collins, Mississippi (Hawkins Field Airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an antenna during a low-altitude aerial observation flight. Contributing to the accident was the sun glare.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2009 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Collins, Mississippi · Hawkins Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R182 · all R182s on the register
- Registration
- N7392S · no longer on the register · serial R18201709
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was performing a pipeline patrol and was in a climbing left turn when the glare from the sun temporarily blinded him. As he reached up to manipulate the sun visors, the airplane's right wing impacted a 320-foot-tall radio antenna. After the collision, slight left rudder pressure was required to counter the airplane's right turning tendency. The rudder and elevator controls were unaffected and the pilot stated that he felt no vibration or buffeting. The pilot continued to his destination and landed uneventfully. After landing, he discovered that the airplane sustained damage to the right wing spar and the right aileron. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. He further stated that a heightened awareness of the exposure to potential obstructions in the pipeline patrol area might prevent a recurrence of this type of accident.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tower/antenna (incl guy wires) › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Glare › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 42,000 hours in all; 20,000 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 42,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 12, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,107 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 30, 2009; 93 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bp Pipelines (North America) Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: BTR Baton Rouge LA at 6:55 pm
- Destination: HKS Jackson MS
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from HBG, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.