Cessna 182 accident near Swainsboro, Georgia, August 25, 2018
On August 25, 2018 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1958 Cessna 182, registered N4785D, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Swainsboro, Georgia (East Georgia Regional airport). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 25, 2018 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Swainsboro, Georgia · East Georgia Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 A, built 1958 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N4785D · no longer on the register · serial 34885
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After completing several skydiving flights without incident, the airplane was refueled. The pilot completed the next flight uneventfully; however, during takeoff on the subsequent flight, the airplane reached an altitude about 150 ft above ground level when it lost total engine power. A witness reported that the wings "rocked" left and right before the airplane pitched down and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that the right fuel tank cap was missing and tape was covering the fuel filler port on the right wing. The tape was installed during the most recent refueling. The fuel selector valve sustained significant thermal damage and was observed in the "both" position when disassembled. Examination of the fuel tank vent line did not reveal any obstructions; however, the line was impact damaged. Examination of the engine and its components revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. While the installation of tape over the right wing fuel filler port likely resulted in a non-venting seal, it could not be determined if it resulted in the loss of engine power, as other means of fuel system venting likely remained. After the total loss of engine power, the airplane exceeded its critical angle of attack and experienced an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude for the pilot to recover.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 300 hours in all
- Last flight review: August 23, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,024.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 10, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-50 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SBO Swainsboro GA at 5:55 pm
- Destination: SBO Swainsboro GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 14, 6,021 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 6:30 pm from SBO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on September 7, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swainsboro Police Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Fueling Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Fuel System Schematic | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photo Array | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.
