# NTSB ATL89LA143: Cessna 182A, N4985D, Lugoff, SC, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Lugoff, SC
- Coordinates: 34.220832, -80.680961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2208&lon=-80.6810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA143

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SPEED FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL ON FINAL APPROACH.  HIS EXCESSIVE USE OF FLAPS AND THE WIND CONDITIONS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND AFTER HAULING SKYDIVERS. HE RPRTD THAT WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL APCH TO LAND ON RWY 31 WITH 20 TO 30 DEG OF FLAPS EXTENDED, THE ACFT ENTERED A HIGH SINK RATE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. HE SAID THAT HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO INCREASE SPEED & THAT HE PLANNED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE IN THE FLARE, BUT THEN 'THE BOTTOM FELL OUT' & THE ACFTCOLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE FLT MANUAL RECOMMENDED THAT IF THE RWY LENGTH PERMITTED, CROSSWIND LANDINGS SHOULD BE PERFORMED WITH THE FLAPS RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER ESTIMATED THAT 560 FT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO LAND THE ACFT ON A HARD SURFACE WITH NO WIND & 40 DEG OF FLAPS. THE RWY LENGTH WAS 2800 FT. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM 240 TO 270 DEG WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. APRX 20 MI SOUTHEAST AT SHAW AFB, THE 1655 EDT WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 260 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 28 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4985D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4985D-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 51085, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51085
- Airframe hours: 3932
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Lugoff Para-Flite Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lugoff Para-Flite Club Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1988, 173 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Lugoff, runway 31, 2,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,156 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSC, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890506010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506010989A), May 6, 1989: Cessna 182A, Lugoff, SC, Substantial damage. After dropping sky divers encountered severe turbulence and downdraft on landing. Impacted terrain short of runway.

## Other investigations on N4985D (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI83LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA339), Jul 29, 1983: Cessna 182 (N4985D), Rochester, MN, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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