Cessna 182P accident near Columbia, South Carolina, October 5, 2010
On October 5, 2010 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Cessna 182P, registered N21415, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Columbia, South Carolina (Columbia Metropolitan airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a loss of lubrication after the engine experienced a piston ring failure for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 5, 2010 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, South Carolina · Columbia Metropolitan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N21415 · no longer on the register · serial 18261625
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot observed that the engine oil pressure was low and noted smoke in the cockpit. The engine subsequently lost all power and, in response, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a highway. During the landing, the airplane's right wing struck a pole and the lower forward portion of the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that it seized due to a loss of lubrication after the oil suction screen became clogged with debris, which included fractured portions of piston skirts and piston rings. The No. 5 cylinder oil control ring was fractured in multiple locations. Some fragments were burnished, consistent with operation for a significant time period while remaining in the piston ring slot. The burnishing obliterated the fractured face, making the determination of the fracture mode impossible. Thermal erosion of the No. 5 piston and the fracturing of the piston skirts occurred after the oil control ring failure and most likely occurred just prior to the engine failure. While it was possible that the ring was damaged at the time it was installed 266 hours before the accident, there was not enough information to reach that determination.
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 engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,090 hours in all; 510 in this make and model; 111 in the last 90 days; 74 in the last 30 days; 3,105 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 2, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,140 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 10, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Westmoreland Patterson Moseley & Hinson LLP
The flight
- Departed from: CAE Columbia SC at 7:40 pm
- Destination: MCN Macon GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 05, 8,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 pm from CAE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.