Cessna 182 accident near Opelika, Alabama, October 16, 2018
On October 16, 2018 at about 3:10 am local time, a 1971 Cessna 182, registered N9398G, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Opelika, Alabama (Auburn University Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper torque application and ongoing inspection of an oil filter adaptor by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of lubrication and a catastrophic engine failure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2018 · about 3:10 am local time
- Place
- Opelika, Alabama · Auburn University Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 P, built 1971 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N9398G · no longer on the register · serial 18260938
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the climb after takeoff, the pilot noticed a drop in engine oil pressure and turned back toward the airport to land. Almost immediately thereafter, the engine began to run rough and eventually lost power completely. The pilot performed a forced landing to an interstate exit ramp, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Examination of the engine revealed that the Nos. 2 and 4 connecting rods were separated from their respective rod journals. All rod journals were absent of lubrication and displayed heat damage. Disassembly of the engine and the separation of the case halves revealed abnormal wear and damage consistent with loss of lubrication. Examination and testing of engine accessories revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation. The engine was equipped with a screw-on oil filter adaptor required to be torqued to 65 ft/lbs at installation, and the integrity of the oil filter adaptor installation was required to be examined during every 100-hour and annual inspection. The adaptor on the accident engine was found loose and could be easily rotated by hand through a 90° arc, and oil seepage was found on the area surrounding the oil filter adapter attachment point. Given this information, it is likely that the loose adaptor allowed the engine oil to be pumped overboard, resulting in a loss of engine lubrication and catastrophic failure of the Nos. 2 and 4 connecting rods.
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 emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng oil sys › Not inspected
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,422 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,338.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 4, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 SERIES (piston); 3,940 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AUO Auburn AL
- Destination: AHN Athens GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 700 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 2:46 am from KAUO, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N9398G 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.