Cessna 182 accident near Towanda, Pennsylvania, September 30, 2023
On September 30, 2023 at about 7:10 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna 182, registered N747UC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Towanda, Pennsylvania (Bradford County Airport). It was a personal flight 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
- September 30, 2023 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Towanda, Pennsylvania · Bradford County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 Q, built 1977 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N747UC · registry record · serial 18265367
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the preflight inspection and engine run-up were normal. During initial climb, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot varied the throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat levers in an attempt to restore power; however, the engine subsequently lost all power. The propeller continued to rotate and did not stop completely. The pilot moved the fuel selector from both, to left, to right, back to both, but was unable to restore engine power. He then performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. Examination of the wreckage revealed that adequate fuel remained onboard and no fuel contamination was observed. Subsequent examination of the engine, fuel system, ignition system, and air intake did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of a carburetor icing chart revealed that the airplane was not susceptible to carburetor icing at cruise power for the prevailing temperature and dew point. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,448 hours in all; 320 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 2,228 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,214 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2022; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 3,314 hours total
The flight
- Destination: UKT Quakertown PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 4,301 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from ELM, 30 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KELM 301853Z VRB05KT 10SM CLR 24/13 A3021
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 July 24, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memoranda for the Record | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 6 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.