# NTSB GAA15CA285: Cessna T182T, N5918D, Ely, NV, September 24, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 24, 2015, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Ely, NV
- Coordinates: 39.301387, -114.838607 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3014&lon=-114.8386&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Reno FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92086/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92086
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA285

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with an airport sign.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that she was compensating for a crosswind throughout the final approach to landing. During the touchdown, the airplane was "at a slight angle" and immediately veered to the right. The pilot reported that she applied full left rudder and brakes, but the airplane exited the runway and impacted a runway distance remaining sign with the left wing strut and left main landing gear. The left wing strut sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that she was compensating for a crosswind throughout the final approach to landing. During the touchdown, the airplane was "at a slight angle" and immediately veered to the right. The pilot reported that she applied full left rudder and brakes, but the airplane exited the runway and impacted a runway distance remaining sign with the left wing strut and left main landing gear. The left wing strut sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5918D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5918D), registered now, S/N T18208039, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T182T (T)
- Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18208039
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 1291.4
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2015
- Departed: BKE, BAKER CITY, OR
- Destination: ELY, Ely, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ELY, Ely Arpt /Yelland Fld/, runway 18, 6,018 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 601 total, 55 in this make and model, 576 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: KELY

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92086. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 967 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Docket Photos (item 2, .PDF, 845 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photos-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.

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