Accident Overview
On June 30, 2011, at about 1250 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182K, registration N2888R, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to Chesapeake Bay following a total loss of engine power during initial climb from Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured. The maintenance flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions; no flight plan was filed.
Flight Details
The pilot reported that an annual inspection had just been completed, and he planned to conduct takeoffs and landings while remaining in the airport traffic pattern. He added 15 gallons of fuel to each wing tank. A preflight inspection was completed, and fuel samples were unremarkable. The engine run-up and first takeoff and landing were uneventful. During the second takeoff, about 300 feet above ground level, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Due to the low altitude, the pilot did not attempt to return to the airport and instead landed in a shallow saltwater creek.
Post-Accident Examination
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the mishap was initially considered an incident, and the airplane sat in the saltwater for 3 days until recovery. A cursory examination was completed to determine damage, but the engine and fuel system were not inspected, and a full damage assessment could not be made at that time. Fourteen days after the mishap, the wing damage was determined to be substantial, and the National Transportation Safety Board was notified.
The FAA inspector then planned to hire a mechanic to examine the engine under his oversight. The intended mechanic was unavailable for 1 week; by the time the inspector could schedule the mechanic, approximately 1 month had passed since the accident. Due to saltwater corrosion, the inspector elected not to perform further examinations, as the evidence was compromised. The airplane had sat for approximately 1 year prior to the completion of the recent annual inspection.
Subsequently, a mechanic examined the engine under the direction of an insurance adjuster. The mechanic found no obvious signs of catastrophic failure. He removed the carburetor and found fuel in the carburetor along with dirt that appeared to be from the creek where the airplane landed.