# NTSB ERA25LA104: Cessna 182, N21254, Smyrna, TN, January 17, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 17, 2025, 04:35 local (10:35 UTC) - Place: Smyrna, TN - Coordinates: 36.015386, -86.526047 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0154&lon=-86.5260&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199597/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199597 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA104 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate approach path, resulting in the airplane contacting a tree during a landing approach at night. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While flying a visual approach to the runway at night, and in a gusting crosswind, the pilot turned from the base leg of the traffic pattern to final approach and corrected for the crosswind. The pilot transitioned from a crabbing crosswind correction to a slipping crosswind correction and noticed that he was below the glideslope for the runway as indicated by the precision approach pathway indicator lights. The pilot increased engine power to correct, but the airplane impacted the top of a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer. He subsequently landed the airplane uneventfully. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21254](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21254), registered now, S/N 18261519, built 1972 (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: 18261519 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 4343 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470R 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2024, 43 hours before - Departed: KTYS, Knoxville, TN - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MQY, Smyrna, runway 14, 8,038 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review December 5, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 599 total, 72 in this make and model, 532 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 17 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 190° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: MQY - METAR: KMQY 180456Z AUTO 19009G18KT 10SM -RA OVC060 08/06 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP125 P0000 T00830056 401561050 ## 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 20250117000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250117000719A), Jan 17, 2025: Cessna 182P, Smyrna, TN, Substantial damage. On 1/17/2025, PIC was on approach into Smyrna (kmqy) for a visual landing on runway 14. During approach aircraft struck trees on approach end of runway. Landed… ## Other investigations on N21254 (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI82IA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82IA284), Jul 31, 1982: Cessna 182P (N21254), Oshkosh, WI, incident, minor damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199597. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18301819&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=_C_Pitts_6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18301171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-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.