Cessna 182L accident near Westerly, Rhode Island, August 2, 2008
On August 2, 2008 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Cessna 182L, registered N42366, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Westerly, Rhode Island (Westerly State Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of power due to a partial blockage of the air induction system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2008 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Westerly, Rhode Island · Westerly State Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182L · all 182Ls on the register
- Registration
- N42366 · no longer on the register · serial 18258987
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A Cessna 182L experienced a loss of power approximately 1,200 feet above sea level while 2 miles from its destination airport. The pilot had just applied carburetor heat while entering the base leg of the airport traffic pattern when the loss of power occurred. The pilot attempted to restore power but was unable. After determining that he would not be able to glide to the runway, he ditched the airplane in a river. Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the wing was substantially damaged and that there was nesting material and the remains of a rodent in the inlet of the carburetor.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Ditching during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 690 hours in all; 212 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,870.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2008; 6.2 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: 4B9 Simsbury CT at 1:30 pm
- Destination: WST Westerly RI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 4,010 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from WST, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.