Cessna 182L accident near Waycross, Georgia, March 10, 2015
On March 10, 2015 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 182L, registered N42667, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Waycross, Georgia (Waycross-Ware County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to use any airport guidance while taxiing, which resulted in geographic disorientation and a takeoff attempt from an inadequate length and unsuitable surface.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 10, 2015 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Waycross, Georgia · Waycross-Ware County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182L, built 1968 · all 182Ls on the register
- Registration
- N42667 · no longer on the register · serial 18259129
- 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, the runway he intended to depart from was parallel to the taxiway and parking ramp. He assumed that after making two right turns he would be on the runway. He reported that he did not have any airport diagrams to navigate with, while operating on the airport movement area. Following his second right turn he noticed a runway sign, announced his intention to depart over the common traffic advisory frequency, taxied onto what he assumed was the runway, observed "faded yellow chevrons," and added power for takeoff. During the takeoff roll the pilot observed crossing the runway he assumed he was on, and the paved surface he was on was ending. He retarded the throttle and applied brakes. The airplane exited the paved surface and nosed over, coming to rest inverted; which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no mechanical abnormalities or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The airport diagram, and the pilot's own drawing of the accident event, revealed the need to make three right turns prior to being on the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, that traveled to the accident location, the runway was "clearly identifiable" and the markings were visible.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during taxi (to runway)
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Knowledge › Knowledge of geographic area › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Situational awareness › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Geographic disorient (lost) › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway/landing area length › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 690 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 555 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 24, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,702.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-R25 (piston); 2,702 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AYS Waycross GA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: X14 La Belle FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 18, 5,992 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft; scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from AYS
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.