# NTSB GAA18CA556: Cessna R182, N7304T, Mount Holly, NJ, September 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2018, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Mount Holly, NJ - Coordinates: 39.943054, -74.844718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9431&lon=-74.8447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA556 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98302/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98302 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA556 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072734), [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 R182, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna R182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, while over the runway, he believed the "right wing lifted a bit," and the airplane drifted left. The airplane touched down, veered left, and he applied right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 5 knots. The pilot landed on runway 8. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, while over the runway, he believed the "right wing lifted a bit" and the airplane drifted left. The airplane touched down, veered left, and he applied right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was variable at 5 knots. The pilot landed on runway 8. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7304T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7304T), registered now, S/N R18200027 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna R182 (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18200027 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 4818 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2018 - Departed: CDW, Caldwell, NJ - Destination: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Airport: VAY, South Jersey Rgnl, runway 08, 3,881 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 83; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 3,385 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,385 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KVAY ## 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 20180915015719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180915015719A), Sep 15, 2018: Cessna R182, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. On 09-15-2018, at approximately 1200 hours, CE-R182, s/n 18200027, N7304T, sustained substantial damage after the aircraft immediately veered left and onto… ## Other investigations on N7304T (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 FTW85LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA319), Aug 9, 1985: Cessna R182 (N7304T), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98302. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 879 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.