# NTSB ATL95LA075: Cessna 182J, N47DB, Calera, AL, April 8, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1995, 11:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Calera, AL
- Coordinates: 33.100437, -86.749542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1004&lon=-86.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA075

## Probable cause

The pilots improper decision to land downwind on the short runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - terrain condition - short runway/landing area
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY, THE WIND DIRECTION CHANGED FROM A CROSSWIND TO A TAILWIND. HE CONTINUED THE LANDING, AND TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAST TWO THIRDS OF THE 1,300 FOOT SOD STRIP. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On April 8, 1995, at 1154 central daylight time, a Cessna 182J, N47DB, overran the runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over during an attempted landing at a private airstrip near Calera, Alabama. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Shelby County Airport in Alabaster, Alabama, at 1135 hours.

The pilot stated that during the final approach to the runway, the wind direction changed from a crosswind to a tailwind. He continued the landing, and touched down on the last two thirds of the 1,300 foot sod strip. He stated that he was unable to stop the aircraft on the runway. The aircraft ran off the end of the runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47DB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18257548
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-470 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bradford, Duke C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1994, 50 hours before
- Departed: 21A, ALABASTER, AL
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 5, 1,300 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHN, 25 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 19950408007159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950408007159A), Apr 8, 1995: Cessna 182J, Calera, AL, Substantial damage. Overran short runway landing downwind. Struck a ditch and nosed over.

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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