Cessna 182C accident near Holly Ridge, North Carolina, August 4, 2022
On August 4, 2022 at about 5:09 pm local time, a 1960 Cessna 182C, registered N8865T, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Holly Ridge, North Carolina (Holly Ridge/Topsail airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance of powerlines on final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2022 · about 5:09 pm local time
- Place
- Holly Ridge, North Carolina · Holly Ridge/Topsail · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182C, built 1960 · all 182Cs on the register
- Registration
- N8865T · no longer on the register · serial 52765
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on final approach when he collided with a set of unmarked powerlines that ran perpendicular to the runway. The airplane flipped over and impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the tail section. The pilot said he reviewed the airport facility directory prior to the flight and was aware that the runway had a displaced threshold and a set of powerlines located between the end of the runway and a section of pine trees, which were equal in height to the powerlines. He said that as he cleared the pine trees on final approach, he saw the powerlines and struck them “five feet too low.” The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,208 hours in all; 815 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 13, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,526 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 25, 2022; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-L (piston); 2,526 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: None Germantown NC at 3:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,591 ft by 88 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from KNCA, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KNCA 041656Z 21009KT 10SM CLR 32/24 A3013
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 4, 2023. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Summary of Email - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airport Surveillance Video File | video | 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.