Has N5981J been in an accident?

Yes. N5981J appears in 1 NTSB accident record, the most recent in 2012.

What kind of aircraft is N5981J?

N5981J is a 1975 Cessna 182P (fixed wing single-engine), serial number 18263597.

N5981J — 1975 Cessna 182P

Deregistered

Checked against FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 16, 2026

N5981J appears in 1 NTSB accident record (most recent 2012, serious injuries). Registration and accident data compiled from public FAA and NTSB records as of Jul 16, 2026.

Aircraft record

Serial number: 18263597
Manufacturer: Cessna
Model: 182P
Year: 1975
Category: Fixed wing single-engine
Engine: Cont Motor O-470 Series
Registration: Deregistered

View the FAA registry record for N5981J →

Accident & incident history

CEN12TA604Sep 2, 2012Newberry, MISerious
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane due to distraction from a combination of smoke in the cockpit and a sudden turbulence encounter while on short final approach. The cause of the cockpit smoke could not be determined due to the extensive damage sustained by the airplane during the postimpact fire.

Registration timeline

Ownership and registration events for this airframe (the 1975 Cessna 182P).

Nov 2, 2012deregistered — Michigan Department Of Natural Resources

Frequently asked

Has N5981J been in an accident?: Yes. N5981J appears in 1 NTSB accident record, the most recent in 2012.
What kind of aircraft is N5981J?: N5981J is a 1975 Cessna 182P (fixed wing single-engine), serial number 18263597.

The full N5981J report

$12 $29 launch pricing

Full NTSB investigation narratives for all 1 record — the complete text, not just the cause line
Pre-buy question list generated from this aircraft’s actual records
Complete registration & deregistration timeline, print-ready

Get the full report — $12

Instant access · no account · permanent link