Cessna 182K accident near Stevensville, Maryland, June 30, 2011
On June 30, 2011 at about 4:50 pm local time, a Cessna 182K, registered N2888R, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Stevensville, Maryland (Bay Bridge Airport). It was a flight test 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
A total loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2011 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Stevensville, Maryland · Bay Bridge Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182K · all 182Ks on the register
- Registration
- N2888R · no longer on the register · serial 18258488
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sat for approximately 1 year and then an annual inspection was completed. The pilot reported that he planned to remain in the local airport traffic pattern and perform takeoffs and landings. He added 15 gallons of fuel to each wing tank and did not note any anomalies during the preflight inspection. Additionally, the engine run-up and the first takeoff and landing were uneventful. During the second takeoff, about 300 feet above the ground, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a shallow salt water creek. The airplane sat in salt water for 3 days prior to recovery. It then sat another 11 days until a damage assessment determined that there was substantial damage to the wings, and the event was classified as an accident. About 3 weeks later, a mechanic examined the engine and did not note any anomalies that would have resulted in a total loss of engine power; however, by that time, the evidence was compromised due to salt water corrosion. The conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at climb or cruise power.
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 Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,743 hours in all; 133 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days; 43 in the last 30 days; 2,700 as pilot in command; 1,348 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 4, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,272 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 31, 2011; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W29 Stevensville MD at 4:50 pm
- Destination: W29 Stevensville MD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from NAK, 8 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.