# NTSB CEN09CA004: Cessna 182P, N21544, Mount Vernon, MO, October 8, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 8, 2008, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Mount Vernon, MO - Coordinates: 37.143611, -93.851387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1436&lon=-93.8514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69249 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69249/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA004 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain a proper landing aim point. Contributing to the accident were the setting sun and the uneven terrain approaching the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was landing on runway 27 at a private grass airstrip. The sun was setting approximately 10 degrees left of the runway alignment. The pilot landed short of the runway and the airplane struck terrain approximately 12 inches below the runway surface. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. After the pilot egressed the airplane it caught fire and was destroyed. The pilot was not injured. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was landing on runway 27 at a private grass airstrip. The sun was setting approximately 10 degrees left of the runway alignment. The pilot landed short of the runway and the airplane struck terrain approximately 12 inches below the runway surface. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. After the pilot egressed the airplane it caught fire and was destroyed. The pilot was not injured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21544](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21544-2008-10-24), registration cancelled 2008-10-24, S/N 18261705, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18261705 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brent Kitchen - Registered owner: Sale Reported - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NA, Mount Vernon, MO - Destination: NA, Mount Vernon, MO - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: NA, Private Airstrip Mt Vernon, runway 27, 1,300 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,126 total, 22 in this make and model, 975 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg ## 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 20081008848319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081008848319A), Oct 8, 2008: Cessna 182P, Mt Vernon, MO, Destroyed. (-23) This was an evening pleasure flight at sunset. The 1300 foot long grass runway that [privacy data omitted] chose to land on was oriented on a heading of… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.