# NTSB FTW96LA387: Cessna 182Q, N97685, Fayetteville, AR, September 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 1996, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, AR - Coordinates: 36.061343, -94.162857 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0613&lon=-94.1629&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19980 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19980/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA387 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors were gust and the slick, mowed grass runway. ## 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 - proper touchdown point - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the private grass airstrip was about 1,900 feet long with an uphill gradient and portions of the runway aligned with trees about 50 to 60 feet in height. The pilot stated that the wind was light and variable. A final approach speed of 70 knots was maintained with full flaps extended for the landing. During the landing flare, 'a gust from around the trees pitched the airplane up and it went further down the runway.' With trees at the departure end of the runway, the pilot committed to the landing. The airplane touched down about mid-field in 'slick, mowed grass, and as the brakes were applied, the airplane hydroplaned on the grass.' The pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane in an effort to miss hitting the trees; however, the airplane slid sideways and the left wing struck a tree about 10 inches in diameter. Structural damage occurred at the firewall, engine mounts, and left wing. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 1996, at 1050 central daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N97685, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, collided with a tree during the landing roll near Fayetteville, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Drake Field Airport at Fayetteville, Arkansas, 20 minutes before the accident. During a telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, and on the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot reported that the private grass airstrip was about 1,900 feet long with an uphill gradient and portions of the runway aligned with trees about 50 to 60 feet in height. The pilot stated that the wind was light and variable. A final approach speed of 70 knots was maintained with full flaps extended for the landing. During the landing flare, "a gust from around the trees pitched the airplane up and it went further down the runway." With trees at the departure end of the runway, the pilot committed to the landing. The airplane touched down about mid-field in "slick, mowed grass, and as the brakes were applied, the airplane hydroplaned on the wet grass." The pilot attempted to ground loop the airplane in an effort to miss hitting the trees; however, the airplane slid sideways and the left wing struck a tree about 10 inches in diameter. Structural damage occurred at the firewall, engine mounts, and left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97685](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97685), registered now, S/N 18267168, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182Q - 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: 18267168 - Airframe hours: 4470 - Engines: Continental O-470-U17 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barry R. West - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR - Airport: NONE, Sitton'S Airfield, runway 18, 1,900 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,510 total, 1,300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960912028479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960912028479A), Sep 12, 1996: Cessna 182Q, Lowell, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on a grass strip, flared, lost control and struck a tree. (-23) pilot made a short field landing on 2,000' strip. Touch down was made at… 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.