Cessna 182G accident near Renfrew, Pennsylvania, February 28, 2003
On February 28, 2003 at about 2:35 am local time, a Cessna 182G, registered N3404S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Renfrew, Pennsylvania (Butler County/K W Scholter Fie airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to land. Factors in the accident were the pilot's decision to fly into forecasted\known icing conditions, and the accumulation of structural ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2003 · about 2:35 am local time
- Place
- Renfrew, Pennsylvania · Butler County/K W Scholter Fie · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182G · all 182Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3404S · no longer on the register · serial 18255804
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot received three preflight briefings before departing on the accident flight, and changed his planned departure time twice before departing. During all three briefings the pilot was advised of icing conditions in the area and along his planned route of flight. While en route, the pilot reported accumulating a significant amount of ice. During descent, the pilot reported the airport in sight, and was cleared for the visual approach to runway 8. The airplane impacted the ground about 1/2 mile from the airport, and approximately 100 feet left of the extended centerline for runway 8. Ice fragments were located at and near the main wreckage. The fragments were approximately 2 inches thick, 4.5 inches high, and shaped consistent with wing and tailplane ice accumulations. The airplane was not certified or equipped for flight into icing conditions. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 442 hours in all; 352 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 9, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,784 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2002; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PHL Philadelphia PA
- Destination: BTP Butler PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 8, 3,998 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 am from BTP, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.