Cessna 182K accident near Bentonia, Mississippi, June 12, 2011
On June 12, 2011 at about 7:25 pm local time, a Cessna 182K, registered N2740Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Bentonia, Mississippi. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control on the ground during engine start, which resulted in a collision with nearby equipment. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper engine start procedure and improper securing of the seat.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2011 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Bentonia, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182K · all 182Ks on the register
- Registration
- N2740Q · no longer on the register · serial 18257940
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, she performed a preflight of the airplane and attempted to start the engine. After several unsuccessful attempts, she leaned the mixture setting, advanced the throttle, and attempted another start. The engine started, and she advanced the mixture and throttle controls. The engine increased to a high rpm setting, and the airplane moved forward and to the left. The pilot stated that she attempted to stop the airplane with the brakes; however, the pilot seat slid aft, and she was unable to reach the brake pedals. The airplane impacted nearby equipment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage, tail, and wings.
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
- Loss of control on ground during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) start-up)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 224 hours in all; 86 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 143 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 31, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,260 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 3, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bentonia MS
- Destination: 87I Yazoo City MS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from JAN, 27 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.
Other NTSB records under N2740Q the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.