Cessna 182G accident near Jackson, Mississippi, October 3, 1997
On October 3, 1997 at about 2:42 pm local time, a Cessna 182G, registered N3434S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jackson, Mississippi (Jackson International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a blockage of the induction system by a piece of gasket material.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 1997 · about 2:42 pm local time
- Place
- Jackson, Mississippi · Jackson International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182G · all 182Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3434S · registry record · serial 18255834
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that before departure he performed an engine run-up with no discrepancies noted. After takeoff from the 8,501 foot runway, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. He verified the positions of the propeller, fuel selector, and mixture controls and also looked at the rpm and manifold pressure gauges. The engine power was restored to maintain level flight and with insufficient runway remaining, he elected to maneuver to return for landing. The engine again experienced a partial loss of power and while descending for a forced landing on a road, the airplane collided with the top of a chain link fence, then the ground and a road sign pole before coming to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that two ignition leads were inoperative and two cylinders had low compression. Additionally, gasket material was found lodged between the carburetor throat and the upper portion of the venturi. The gasket material was the exact shape of a piece missing between the carburetor mount flange and the airbox assembly.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,745 hours in all; 1,548 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 1,562 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,410 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 1997; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JAN at 2:42 pm
- Destination: BNA Nashville TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 16R, 8,501 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:42 pm from JAN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.