# NTSB ERA11CA267: Cessna 182A, N4920D, Galax, VA, April 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2011, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Galax, VA - Coordinates: 36.766109, -80.823608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7661&lon=-80.8236&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78977 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78977/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78977 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA267 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind while on approach for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was conducting a visual approach for a full-stop landing with a gusting wind. The airplane experienced a sudden loss of altitude while on final approach and the pilot realized that he would land short of the runway. The airplane impacted terrain approximately 1,000 feet short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage and engine firewall. The pilot sustained a concussion during the impact and was unable to recall the events of the accident subsequent to the loss of altitude. A pilot-rated witness saw the airplane on a one-quarter mile final approach, and observed it bank to the right between 45-60 degrees, then bank to the left about 20 degrees, with an approximate 30-degree nose-high attitude. The airplane appeared to stall and then disappeared from his view. Both the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident stated that there were no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was conducting a visual approach for a full-stop landing in gusty wind conditions. The airplane experienced a sudden loss of altitude while on final approach, and the pilot realized that he would land short of the runway. The airplane impacted terrain approximately 1,000 feet short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the forward fuselage and engine firewall. The pilot sustained a concussion during the impact, and was unable to recall the events of the accident subsequent to the loss of altitude. A pilot-rated witness saw the airplane on a one-quarter mile final, and observed it bank to the right between 45-60 degrees, then bank to the left about 20 degrees, with an approximate 30-degree nose high attitude. The airplane appeared to stall, then disappeared from his view. Both the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4920D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4920D-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 51020, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 51020 - Airframe hours: 2654 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: N4920d LLC - Registered owner: N4920d LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2010 - Departed: ROA, Roanoke, VA - Destination: HLX, Galax, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: HLX, Twin County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: HLX ## 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 20110424007009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110424007009A), Apr 24, 2011: Cessna 182A, Hillsville, VA, Substantial damage. Witnesses stated that while on short final to runway 19 the aircraft dropped its right wing 60 degrees followed by a left wing drop of 50 to 60 degrees at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78977. 377 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 364 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348649&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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.