# NTSB CEN25LA059: Cessna 182T, N127SL, Pearland, TX, December 11, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 11, 2024, 14:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Coordinates: 29.518953, -95.240343
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5190&lon=-95.2403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Landing-landing roll: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320); [Landing: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 2025
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA - Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 199414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199414/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199414
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA059

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The AA-5 pilot’s failure to maintain separation from the 182T during approach and landing, which resulted in a ground collision during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the AA-5’s electrical system, which prevented the AA-5 pilot from communicating with other aircraft in the traffic pattern, and the AA-5 pilot’s poor judgment that the electrical system failure required an expedited landing when a preceding airplane occupied the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022400/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3960104), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The pilot of the AA-5 “jump started” his airplane before departure and experienced a total electrical failure shortly after departure, resulting in his inability to communicate over the radio or extend the airplane’s flaps. While approaching the airport, the pilot of the AA-5 saw the 182T on final approach and followed it to the runway. As the 182T exited the runway, the AA-5 veered toward it and impacted the left side of the 182T, resulting in substantial damage to both airplanes. Video evidence showed the AA-5’s engine was operating normally during the approach and landing. The pilot of the AA-5 made no attempt to increase spacing between his airplane and the 182T or conduct a go-around. The pilot of the AA-5 stated that when he was faced with the failure of the airplane’s electrical system, he believed he had to get the airplane on the ground as soon as possible and “at all costs.”

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On December 11, 2024, about 1412 central standard time, a Cessna 182T, N127SL, and a Grumman American AA-5, N5450L, were substantially damaged when they were involved in an accident at Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas. The pilot of the 182T and the pilot and two passengers of the AA-5 were not injured. The 182T was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight and the AA-5 was operated as a Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot of the 182T, he was landing on runway 32 after completing aerial observation work. A pilot holding short of the runway alerted him over the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) that another airplane was following close behind him. The pilot of the 182T attempted to expedite his exit from the runway at taxiway A3, but the AA-5 impacted the 182T. According to the pilot of the AA-5, the airplane had to be “jump started” before departing from Scholes International Airport (GLS), Galveston, Texas. About five minutes after departure from GLS, the airplane lost all electrical power. As a result of the electrical failure, the pilot could not communicate over the CTAF or extend the airplane’s flaps. The pilot reported that he was able to navigate to LVJ using an iPad with ForeFlight software connected to a portable ADS-B receiver, all powered by batteries independent from the airplane’s electrical system. While approaching LVJ, the pilot made visual contact with the 182T and followed it to runway 32. The pilot estimated that he was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile behind the 182T while in the traffic pattern. The pilot reported that as he crossed the runway threshold, the 182T was slowing more than he had expected; with the closure rate, he did not feel like he could safely complete a go-around. The pilot attempted to avoid colliding with the 182T by veering toward taxiway A3, which was the same taxiway the 182T used to exit the runway. The AA-5 impacted the left side of the 182T, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage of the AA-5. The 182T sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. A pilot who was holding short of runway 32 stated that he observed the AA-5 following about 100 yards behind the 182T. The witness made a radio call over the CTAF to alert the pilot of the 182T about the AA-5’s proximity. He stated that the pilot of the AA-5 flew an unstable final approach, the airplane bounced on the runway after touchdown, and it veered left of the runway centerline before it impacted the 182T. In addition, he stated that the pilot of the AA-5 did not appear to make an attempt to perform a go-around or avoid the 182T while rolling on the runway. Video recorded from inside the AA-5’s cockpit revealed the AA-5’s engine was operating normally during the approach and landing. It did not show any evidence of the pilot of the AA-5 attempting to either increase spacing between his airplane and the 182T or conduct a go-around. Postaccidentvisual examination of the AA-5’s electrical system components revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the AA-5 stated that he allowed the failure of the airplane’s electrical system to influence his decision to land the airplane as soon as possible and “at all costs.” He stated that he should have executed a 360° turn while on final approach to add spacing between his airplane and the 182T.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N127SL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N127SL), registered now, S/N 18281256, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182T
- Registry model: [Cessna 182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182t) (registry code 2072703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18281256
- Year built: 2003
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Gulf Coast Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Gulf Coast Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: LVJ, Pearland Rgnl, runway 14/32, 4,313 × 75 ft, concrete

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N5450L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5450L), registered now, S/N AA5-0350, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AVN. CORP. AA-5
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5) (registry code 3960104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5-0350
- Year built: 1973
- Airframe hours: 3907.6
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2024
- Departed: GLS, Galveston, TX
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N127SL; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 250 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N5450L; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 30, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 455.3 total, 79.2 in this make and model, 365.8 as pilot in command, 8.5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2.4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.40 inHg
- Observed at: KLVJ
- METAR: KLVJ 111953Z AUTO 34011G19KT 10SM CLR 16/M05 A3040 RMK AO2 SLP293 T01611050,M

## FAA reports on this event (2)

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

- [Accident 20241211021012A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241211021012A), Dec 11, 2024: Cessna 182T, Pearland, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft 1 was on rollout after landing runway 32 and was turning left onto taxiway A3. Second aircraft landed on runway 32 and failed to maintain proper…
- [Accident 20241211020502A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241211020502A), Dec 11, 2024: Grumman American Avn. Corp. AA-5, Pearland, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft 1 suffered an electrical failure during flight. The pilot of aircraft 1 decided to continue his planned flight to Pearland Regional (klvj) airport and…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199414. 16.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19451940&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N5450L%20Form%206120%20(C%20Norman)_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation - 182T pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19453348&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Middlebrook-Rel.pdf
- Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19371885&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR-Luzier-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 905 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19372922&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20CEN24LA059-Rel.pdf
- Mor - FAA (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19482519&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Powell-Rel.pdf
- Video file (item 6, MP4, 10.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19382689&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=2024-12-11%20N127SL%20N5450L%20-%20Video%20A3%20Collision-Rel.mp4
- Cockpit video summary (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19529660&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Video%20File%20-%20MOR-Rel.pdf

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.