# NTSB GAA19CA525: Cessna 182, N2408Q, Charleston, WV, September 5, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2019, 23:30 local (Sep 5, 2019, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Charleston, WV - Coordinates: 38.369445, -81.601943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3694&lon=-81.6019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100200 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA525 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100200/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100200 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA525 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper approach path at night and his misjudgment of the landing point, which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with the runway's engineered materials arrestor system. ## 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 182J, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Approach aid coverage/avail: visual approach aid](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03012070): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03012070/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03012070/cases.md) - [Approach aid coverage/avail: approach lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03012015): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03012015/cases.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03012015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2072722), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while performing landings for night currency, he misjudged the approach, and the airplane landed short of the runway and then impacted the engineered materials arrestor system, which was about 370 ft lower than the approach end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Archived NOTAMs for the date of the accident reported that the runway's visual approach slope indicator and end lighting were out of service. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while performing landings for night currency, he misjudged the approach and the airplane landed short on the engineered materials arrestor system prior to the runway threshold. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The approach end of the runway is near the edge of a plateau upon which the airport sits with rising terrain leading up to the approach end of the runway. The terrain prior to the runway is about 370 ft lower than the approach end of the runway. Archived Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for the date of the accident stated that: RWY 05 VASI OUT OF SERVICE RUNWAY 05 RWY END ID LGT OUT OF SERVICE ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2408Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2408Q-2021-05-08), registration cancelled 2021-05-08, S/N 18257608, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 182J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182j) (registry code 2072722) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18257608 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4402.5 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 2019 - Departed: CRW, Charleston, WV - Destination: CRW, Charleston, WV - Airport: CRW, Yeager, runway 05, 6,715 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review July 24, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 2,342 total, 1,754 in this make and model, 2,137 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KCRW, 1 nm away ## 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 20190904012459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190904012459A), Sep 4, 2019: Cessna 182J, Charleston, WV, Substantial damage. Pilot stated the flight originated to regain nighttime proficiency. The accident occurred during the first attempted landing on runway 5. The pilot landed… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100200. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Archived NOTAM's (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Archived%20NOTAM%27s-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%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. --- 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.