# NTSB CEN26LA157: Cessna 182, N6569M, Houston, TX, April 1, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 1, 2026, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX · Stopped in bottom of the ditch - Coordinates: 29.81939, -95.674387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8194&lon=-95.6744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202741 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202741/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202741 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA157 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 15. The pilot stated that the reported wind was from 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20 knots, and during the landing flare, a wind gust caused the left wing to rise rapidly. The pilot attempted corrective control inputs; however, the right wing subsequently contacted the runway, resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane veered to the right, departed the runway surface, and entered a ditch. The right wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6569M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6569M), registered now, S/N 18263760, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (P) - 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: 18263760 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2759.7 - Engines: Continental Motors O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2026, 4 hours before - Departed: LBX, Angleton, TX - Destination: IWS, Houston, TX - Airport: IWS, West Houston Airport, runway 15/33, 3,953 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,328 total, 218 in this make and model, 1,144 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KSGR, 12 nm away - METAR: METAR KSGR 011753Z 18016G23KT 10SM BKN033 BKN042 BKN110 27/21 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP163 60043 T02720206 10283 20217 58002 ## 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 20260401002909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260401002909A), Apr 1, 2026: Cessna 182P, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. While in the "flair" for landing aircraft was reportedly hit by a gust of wind that caused the right-wing tip to strike the ground. The aircraft then departed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202741. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20188978&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA157%20pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 868 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20188465&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA157%20NTSB%20photo%20list%20redacted-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.