# NTSB LAX96LA181: Cessna 182G, N2182R, Riverside, CA, April 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 1996, 18:25 local (Apr 29, 1996, 01:25 UTC) - Place: Riverside, CA - Coordinates: 33.899448, -117.399185 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8994&lon=-117.3992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29430 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29430/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA181 ## Probable cause the loss of directional control by the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind gusts, and improper use of the engine and flight controls. The wind was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis Following an uneventful landing, and while taxiing in an easterly direction toward his tie down, the pilot encountered a strong wind gust. He reported that he mistakenly increased the engine power to fight back against the wind, and thereafter the airplane's speed dramatically increased. The pilot lost control of his airplane and it collided into a dirt embankment at the base of the airport control tower. The local wind was from 360 degrees at 22 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 1996, at 1825 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182G, N2182R, owned and operated by the pilot, encountered a northerly wind gust while taxing in an easterly direction at the Riverside Municipal Airport, Riverside, California. The pilot lost control of the airplane, it collided with an embankment and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and the passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight which originated from Las Vegas, Nevada, at 1645. The pilot indicated that the accident occurred following an uneventful landing. He reported that as he was taxiing to his tie down location the wind speed increased and it pushed his airplane off the taxiway. He further reported that he "mistakenly" increased the engine power "to fight back against the wind," whereupon the airplane's speed dramatically increased and he lost directional control. The airplane collided into a dirt embankment at the base of the control tower. Immediately following the accident, the Riverside controller reported that winds at the airport were from 360 degrees at 22 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2182R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2182R-1996-06-28), registration cancelled 1996-06-28, S/N 18255382 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1855382 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas M. Raffy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV - Destination: RAL - Airport: RAL, Riverside Municipal, runway 34, 2,850 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 22 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RAL ## 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 19960428008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960428008699A), Apr 28, 1996: Cessna 182G, Riverside, CA, Substantial damage. Hit by northerly wind gust taxiing east to ramp. Lost control. Struck embankment. Full power trying to recover. 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.