Accident Overview
On August 7, 2025, at 1037 central daylight time, a Cessna T182T airplane, registration N35370, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Augusta, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight Track
Flight track data was recovered from an Appareo Stratus 2S GPS/ADS-B receiver found onboard. The airplane departed North Little Rock Municipal Airport (ORK) at 0944. After departure, it traveled northeast for about 65 nautical miles before executing a left turn that reversed its course. The airplane then headed directly toward Woodruff County Airport (M60) in Augusta. When approximately 2 nautical miles north of M60, it made a right turn toward the northwest, followed by a left turn toward the west. The final recorded track point was about 180 feet east of the airplane’s final resting location.
Wreckage Examination
The airplane came to rest inverted in an unharvested corn field. The wreckage path extended approximately 70 feet from the initial impact with the corn to the final resting position, oriented on a heading of about 290°. At the accident site, the airplane rested on the upper surfaces of the wing, the cabin roof, and the top of the vertical tail. It was predominantly intact, with all major flight and control surfaces still attached. The nose landing gear was bent aft, and the nose wheel fork and wheel were separated from the strut. The engine and firewall were pushed aft.
Examination of the flight control systems revealed that the aileron, elevator, and rudder systems were continuous from the cockpit controls to the respective control surfaces, with no cable breaks. The cables in the aft fuselage were slack due to crushing and buckling of the fuselage. The flap system was intact, with the flaps found in the retracted position.
Engine and Systems
The engine remained attached to the firewall. The original engine had been replaced with a Continental IO-550-N41B. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aircraft records, the installation was completed on November 5, 2013, in accordance with Texas Skyways Inc. STC SA11143SC.
After removal of the cowl, the engine rotated freely. The top spark plugs, when removed, appeared worn but exhibited normal burn signatures. The engine showed suction and compression on all six cylinders during rotation. Removal of the forwardmost valve cover confirmed movement of the rocker arm and valve, indicating continuity of the valve train. Spark was produced on all ignition leads with engine rotation, and the magneto impulse couplings were heard. Movement of the throttle, mixture, and propeller cockpit controls was verified at the fuel control, fuel pump, and propeller governor, respectively.
A JPI EDM-900 engine monitor installed in the airplane was retained for data download.