# NTSB CHI97LA243: Cessna 182P, N125MW, Oshkosh, WI, August 3, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1997, 20:00 local (Aug 3, 1997, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.059974, -88.540817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0600&lon=-88.5408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA243

## Probable cause

wake turbulence from another airplane encountered at an altitude which precluded regaining control of the airplane by the pilot.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

the pilot and both of his passengers stated that another airplane flew in front of their flight path as they were on short final approach. The airplane then landed hard. The pilot said that turbulence from the other airplane resulted in a temporary loss of control.

## Factual narrative

On August 2, 1997, at 2000 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N125MW, sustained substantial damage during a landing on runway 36R, at Wittman Field, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries.  The pilot said he thought he lost control due to turbulence from another airplane on final who overflew the flight path of his airplane.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Platteville, Wisconsin, at 1838.

The pilot and both passengers noted that while established on final another high wing airplane overflew their flight path in an attempt to land on the same runway.  The other airplane did execute a go around; however the pilot thought that due to turbulence from the other airplane, he lost control of his airplane and it experienced a hard landing.

A post accident examination of the accident airplane failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N125MW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N125MW), registered now, S/N 18262211, 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: 18262211
- Airframe hours: 3977
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maurice H. Witten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1997, 37 hours before
- Departed: PVB, PLATTEVILLE, WI
- Destination: OSH
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Regional, runway 36R, 6,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,728 total, 443 in this make and model, 1,505 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KOS

## 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 19970802020399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970802020399A), Aug 2, 1997: Cessna 182P, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. Lost control landing too close to preceeding landing aircraft. Wake turbulence. (.19) on August 2, 1997, at 2000 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N125MW,…

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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