Takeoff & Initial Climb · NTSB CEN11FA195

CESSNA 182P — Levelland, TX

2 fatal Night
DateFebruary 18, 2011
LocationLevelland, TX
AircraftCESSNA 182P
Purpose of flightPersonal
ConditionsNight · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrenceTakeoff Loss of control in flight
Pilot age62
Pilot total time550 hrs · Building experience
Time in typeUnknown
Fatalities2, 2 serious

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a landing and subsequent go-around with a crosswind.

NTSB findings

  • Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
  • Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

What happened

The airplane was on a night visual flight rules cross-country flight to an uncontrolled airport. The pilot was performing a straight-in approach with a 10- to 11-knot direct crosswind; after touching down the airplane began to veer toward the runway edge. The pilot attempted a go-around; however, during the attempt, the airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and its left wing struck the ground just off the runway's edge. The airplane tumbled, impacting the ground and coming to rest inverted in the adjacent grass field. A surviving passenger said that the touchdown was very rough and that he moved in the airplane from side to side. A postaccident examination of the airplane showed no preimpact anomalies with the airplane.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →