# NTSB DFW06CA162: Cessna 182L, N42656, Coupland, TX, June 20, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2006, 21:15 local (Jun 20, 2006, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Coupland, TX
- Coordinates: 30.433167, -97.412533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4332&lon=-97.4125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: San Antonio, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA162

## Probable cause

The pilot's disorientation.  Contributing factors were the prevailing night light condition and the inoperative landing light.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - landing light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The 568-hour commercial pilot was returning to a private airstrip for a night landing after releasing parachute jumpers.  According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the aircraft's landing light was inoperative so in an attempt to identify the unlit grass runway, the pilot flew over the area several times to try to find the airstrip.  On the third pass the pilot believed to be over the runway and proceed with an approach to land.  During the initial landing roll, the airplane's right landing gear struck a fence which resulted in the aircraft abruptly veering to the right and impacting the ground.  There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the airplane unassisted. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident scene, reported that the pilot missed the airstrip and he found the aircraft resting in a livestock field located approximately mid field and 150 feet to the right of the airstrip centerline.

## Factual narrative

The 568-hour commercial pilot was returning to a private airstrip for a night landing after releasing parachute jumpers.  According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the aircraft's landing light was inoperative so in an attempt to identify the unlit grass runway, the pilot flew over the area several times to try to find the airstrip.  On the third pass the pilot believed to be over the runway and proceed with an approach to land.  During the initial landing roll, the airplane's right landing gear struck a fence which resulted in the aircraft abruptly veering to the right and impacting the ground.  There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the airplane unassisted. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident scene, reported that the pilot missed the airstrip and he found the aircraft resting in a livestock field located approximately mid field and 150 feet to the right of the airstrip centerline.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42656](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42656-2009-12-01), registration cancelled 2009-12-01, S/N 18259127, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259127
- Airframe hours: 9059
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: Cindy Gibson, doing business as Texas Skydiving Center
- Registered owner: Tim Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006
- Departed: TE75, Lexington, TX
- Destination: KXWN, Coupland, TX
- Airport: TE96, Crosswinds Airfield, runway TE9, 2,650 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 568 total, 91 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: KAUS

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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