N2968F

On March 10, 2001, at 1130 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182J, N2968F, collided with trees while maneuvering for an emergency landing to runway 14 at the Lake Ridge Aero Park in Durham, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot received serious injuries and his passenger received minor injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Durham, North Carolina, at 1129.

According to eyewitnesses at the airport, shortly after takeoff from runway 32, at Lake Ridge Aero Park, the engine developed a rough running condition. The pilot executed a 180 degree turn toward the airport for an emergency landing. As the pilot maneuvered for a landing on runway 14, the airplane collided with trees approximately 200 yards from the approach end of the runway.

According to the passenger, at approximately 500 feet above ground level, the pilot called for and started a right turn to crosswind. At that moment," the engine missed," and a few seconds later the engine RPM started to decline. The pilot initiated a 270 degrees turn to return to the airport. During the turn, the pilot restored engine power twice followed by the total loss of engine power. Engine power was restored for a second time and finally quit. The pilot selected an emergency landing area. The airplane collided with trees about 1/8th of a mile out from the airport, as the pilot maneuvered for the emergency landing attempted.

According to a commercial pilot who purchased the wreckage salvage, examination of the engine showed the intake manifold was in pieces, the number one cylinder valve cover was broken, the rocker arm was intact, and the crankshaft was broken. Examination of the fuel screens and sumps showed no signs of contamination. He stated that everything looked normal except for the fuel selector valve. During the examination of the fuel selector valve, he noticed the lower cotter pin was missing.

Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for the formation of carburetor icing. No mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot.