Cessna 182 accident near Rutherfordton, North Carolina, July 8, 2024

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot believed that inclement weather had already passed his intended destination airport before he departed on the visual flight rules flight. While enroute, the airplane caught up with the back side of the storm and became surrounded by cloud cover. ADS-B data indicated the pilot performed two right 360° turns. During the second of these right 360° turns, a passenger texted photos of the weather surrounding the airplane to a family member. The airplane continued flying south for about 1 minute and began a third right 360° turn while initially climbing and then descending to an altitude of 1,700 ft above mean sea level (msl), about 300 ft above ground level (agl). Toward the end of the flight, the airplane encountered rising terrain due to a mountain in the flight path that was likely obscured by clouds. The pilot deviated to the left, then started another climbing right 360° turn before descending. Based on reported weather conditions at the time of the accident, the pilot likely climbed into instrument meteorological conditions in close proximity to the mountain. The final turn arced toward the mountain and began a descent until the airplane struck the mountain in a wings-level, nose-low attitude at an elevation of 2,000 ft msl. Review of the pilot’s logbooks revealed that, even though he was instrument rated, he did not have the required currency. Available specimens for ethanol testing were limited to a brain tissue specimen and a liver tissue specimen. Ethanol was detected in only one of these specimens, in which n-propanol was also present, consistent with postmortem microbial activity. Considering this evidence in context of the pilot’s extensive injuries, it is likely that the detected ethanol was from postmortem sources rather than alcohol consumption. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact 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.

Photographs from the investigation 8 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Photograph 1 – Aerial view of accident site and wreckagePhotograph 2 – Remains of the fuselage with tail and wing sections.Photograph 3 – Empennage with damaged structure, damaged left horizontal stabilizer and elevator and wrinkling of the vertical stabilizer.Photograph 4 – Left wing with leading edge, tip and root damage, damaged aileron and crushed flap.Photograph 5 - Left wing with leading edge, tip and root damage, damaged aileron and crushed flap.Lucas Winn Aviation Accident Investigator Aviation Safety, Eastern Region Regarding the accident on July 7, 2024 involving Cessna 182A, N2198G, in Rutherfordton NC. On the day of the accident, 2 photos were texted to the spouse of one of thA final message was sent with the text “Flying over mountains can’t see sheet”. The screen shot of the text message doesn’t show the time stamp, but it was verified by the sender’s spouse that the time stamp was 9:04PM (21:04 EDT).

The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.