Cessna 182J accident near Franklin, North Carolina, February 27, 1999
On February 27, 1999 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Cessna 182J, registered N460JM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Franklin, North Carolina (Macon County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane on final approach resulting in the in-flight collision with trees and the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 1999 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Franklin, North Carolina · Macon County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182J · all 182Js on the register
- Registration
- N460JM · no longer on the register · serial 18256776
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on final approach for a third touch-and-go landing in a STOL modified airplane, the pilot noted that the airspeed was 40 knots [mph]. He applied partial power then after recognizing that the airspeed did not increase, added slightly more power. The airplane then veered to the left and pitched up; the pilot corrected with right rudder and aileron. The airplane continued in the nose high attitude and the pilot reported that he attempted to correct with forward pressure on the control column but was unable to lower the nose. He then heard the stall warning horn and applied full power, full right rudder and aileron, but the airplane continued to the left and collided with trees. The airplane came to rest upright with the right wing separated. The pilot further stated that there was no engine failure or malfunction. Examination of the flight controls by an FAA airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of binding or failure for roll, pitch, or yaw.
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: 1,600 hours in all; 950 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1A5 at 6:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 4,400 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,700 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from 6A3, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.