Flight History
On June 6, 2022, at 1522 central daylight time, a Cessna 182G airplane, N2118R, was destroyed in an accident near Kenedy, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Recorded ADS-B data indicated that the flight departed New Braunfels National Airport (BAZ) at 1452 and proceeded southbound toward Kenedy Regional Airport (2R9). The airplane briefly reached an altitude of 6,300 ft mean sea level (msl) before descending to 5,600 ft msl. Around 1508, when the airplane was about 23 miles north of 2R9, it entered a gradual descent that continued until the final ADS-B data point. About 1516, the pilot appeared to adjust course to align with the extended centerline of runway 16 at 2R9. Approximately 3 seconds before the final data point, the flight track showed a gradual left turn. The final data point was recorded at 1522:15, with the airplane at about 641 ft msl.
A pilot approaching 2R9 reported that the accident pilot announced a straight-in approach for runway 16 on the common traffic advisory frequency. Initially, the accident airplane appeared straight-and-level and established on final approach. Shortly after, it was observed about 30 feet above ground level and descending in a spin.
Surveillance video from a nearby establishment, located about 0.2 miles west-southwest of the accident site, captured the airplane in a steep nose-down, left-wing-low attitude just before impact.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was about 0.8 miles north of the runway 16 approach threshold at an approximate elevation of 368 ft, and about 0.12 miles east of the final ADS-B data point. A ground impact scar was found about 18 ft west of the airplane wreckage. The wreckage came to rest along a barbed wire fence and tree line. The fuselage and both wings exhibited damage from impact forces, and the cockpit or cabin area was compromised.
A postaccident examination confirmed that all airframe structural components were present, with no evidence of in-flight structural failure. Examination of the primary flight control system revealed discontinuities consistent with impact forces. No preimpact failures or malfunctions were observed in the flight controls or engine.
Examination of the flap system showed that the extension cable for the left flap drive pulley was separated at the swaged end, with the cable disengaged from the pulley. The pulley had an impression and witness mark consistent with the cable end washer. The separated cable end was not located. The left flap retract cable remained engaged. The flap actuator extension indicated a 40° flap extension. The system uses an electric actuator in the right wing connected to a right drive pulley, with cables connecting to the left flap drive pulley. Separation of the extension cable could prevent left flap extension or allow left flap retraction depending on aerodynamic forces.
Medical and Pathological Information
The 32-year-old pilot had a history of depression and anxiety. In August 2021, the FAA granted an Authorization for Special Issuance of a time-limited third-class medical certificate after evaluation. The pilot met subsequent requirements, and her most recent certificate had not expired as of the accident date. The most recent psychiatric evaluation (December 2021 to January 2022) characterized her depression and anxiety as mild and well-controlled with sertraline since February 2020, with no adverse side effects or cognitive issues. The accident occurred before a new medical certificate was required.
An autopsy listed the pilot's cause of death as blunt force injuries and manner of death as accident. The mid portion of the left anterior descending coronary artery was 75% narrowed by plaque. The heart was otherwise unremarkable, with no other significant natural disease identified.
Toxicology testing detected sertraline at 380 ng/mL and its metabolite desmethylsertraline at 1100 ng/mL in postmortem specimens. The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory found sertraline at 93 ng/mL and desmethylsertraline at 234 ng/mL in cavity blood; both were also detected in liver tissue. Sertraline is an antidepressant with low potential for cognitive or psychomotor impairment, though side effects may include dizziness and drowsiness. Major depression itself can cause cognitive impairment.
Tests and Research
Analysis of ADS-B data showed that the airplane's calibrated airspeed stabilized near 90 knots during the final 90 seconds of data, decreasing to about 80 knots at the end. The calculated bank angle approached 30° left wing down. Vertical speeds ranged from level to about -830 ft per minute, within the airplane's performance capabilities.
Published stall speeds in straight-and-level flight were 56 knots with flaps retracted and 48 knots with flaps extended 40°. In a 30° bank at constant altitude, stall speeds increased to 60 knots (flaps retracted) and 51 knots (flaps extended 40°).