# NTSB DFW06CA085: Cessna 182, N97881, Houston, TX, March 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2006, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.505, -95.4766666666667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5050&lon=-95.4767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63348/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA085 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The 1,100-hour commercial pilot was taxiing to Runway 09 and as he started his left turn to the runway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to veer to the right. The airplane came to rest upright in an adjacent ditch. At the time of the accident, the winds were reported from 160-165 degrees, gusting from 19 to 24 knots, with occasional higher gusts. ## Factual narrative The 1,100-hour commercial pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that he was taxiing to Runway 09, and as he started his left turn onto the runway "a gust of wind over 24-knots caused the aircraft to veer to the right and come to rest in an adjacent ditch." Additionally, he reported that at the time of the accident the winds were "19-24 knots with higher gusts coming from 160-165 degrees." Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right wing on the airplane sustained structural damage. A review of CAP regulation 60-1 (CAP Flight Management) paragraph 2-16 states: "The maximum crosswind limit for operating CAP aircraft is that which is stated in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) as the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity." Additionally, a review of the Cessna 182Q POH revealed that the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity is 20-knots for takeoffs, and 15-knots for landing. At 1353, the automated weather observing system at SGR, located approximately 11 nautical miles northwest, reported winds from 140 degrees at 19 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a broken ceiling at 9,500 feet, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and a altimeter setting of 30.16 inches of Mercury. At 1353, the automated weather observing system at HOU, located approximately 13 nautical miles northeast, reported winds from 120 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 3,400 feet, scattered clouds at 9,000 feet, an overcast ceiling at 25,000 feet, temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 52 degrees Fahrenheit, and a altimeter setting of 30.17 inches of Mercury ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97881](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97881), registered now, S/N 18267239, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18267239 - Airframe hours: 3925 - Engines: Continental O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2006 - Departed: AXH, Houston, TX - Destination: LBX, ANGLETON/LAKE J, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: AXH, Houston-Southwest ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 179 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 19 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 140 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 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 20060315002779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060315002779A), Mar 15, 2006: Cessna 182Q, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command ran off the end of the taxiway while taxiing for departure for runway 09. 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.