# NTSB GAA17CA172: Cessna 182, N2892Y, Alpine, TX, March 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2017, 20:00 local (Mar 3, 2017, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Alpine, TX - Coordinates: 30.389444, -103.680557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3894&lon=-103.6806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94817 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94817/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94817 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA172 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions at night and his delayed go-around, which resulted in the airplane bouncing and impacting a fence. ## 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 182E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during final approach in gusting wind conditions at night, he reduced power and initiated a flare when he then heard the stall warning horn. He added that a "gust of wind caught [the] left wing," which he attempted to recover with left aileron inputs. The nose landing gear bounced during touchdown, and he applied full power to go around when a gust of wind "pushed [him] right into desert." The airplane bounced, impacted a fence, and came to rest inverted on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 130° at 9 knots and that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 140° at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 19. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during final approach in gusting wind conditions at night, he reduced power and initiated a flare when he then heard the stall warning horn. He added that a "gust of wind caught [the] left wing", which he attempted to recover with left aileron inputs. The nose landing gear bounced during touchdown and he applied full power to go around when a gust of wind "pushed [him] right into desert". The airplane bounced, impacted a fence, and came to rest inverted on the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that about 5 minutes before the accident the wind was 130° at 9 knots. The same weather observation station reported that about 15 minutes after the accident the wind was 140° at 10 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The airplane landed on runway 19. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2892Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2892Y-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 18253892 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253892 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 3246.6 - Engines: Continental O-470-R55 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 25, 2016 - Departed: E38, Alpine, TX - Destination: E38, Alpine, TX - Airport: E38, Alpine-Casparis Muni, runway 19, 6,002 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 12, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 37 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days - Pilot-rated passenger; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: lap only ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: KE38 ## 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 20170302001939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170302001939A), Mar 2, 2017: Cessna 182E, Alpine, TX, Destroyed. On March 3, 2017 at approximately 8:10 local time N2892Y a Cessna 182 impacted a high game fence while performing touch and go landings at Alpine Casparis… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94817. 401 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455628&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.