Probable cause
An on-ground fire for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
NTSB analysis
After landing at the destination airport, the pilot smelled smoke, so he shut down the airplane, exited, and saw a fire in the vicinity of the baggage compartment. The fire consumed most of the fuselage and the inboard portion of both wings. The pilot recently had a lithium-ion battery installed in the emergency locator transmitter (ELT). However, the ELT and battery were examined and determined not to be the source of the fire. Investigators were not able to determine the origin of the fire due to the extent of fire damage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA272 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 16, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Odessa, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Odessa-Schlemeyer Field (ODO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182
- N-number
- N182GQ
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.