# NTSB MIA89LA161: Cessna 182R, N2739C, Tutwiler, MS, May 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1989, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Tutwiler, MS
- Coordinates: 34.009578, -90.420768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0096&lon=-90.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32440
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32440/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA161

## Probable cause

LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO AN ENCOUNTER WITH A DUST DEVIL WHILE ON THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER OBSERVING A LIMP WINDSOCK, THE PLT LANDED ON THE GRAVEL COVERED AG STRIP. UPON TOUCHDOWN, A GUST OF WIND STRUCK THE ACFT & BEGAN DRIFTING IT OFF THE RWY. HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL BY APPLYING RT BRAKE, RUDDER & ATTEMPTED TO GO-AROUND. HE STATED THAT HE HAD NO BRAKING ACTION DUE TO THE LOOSE GRAVEL & APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT THE GEAR STRUCK A DITCH & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AN AG PLT STANDING NEARBY, STATED THAT A DUST DEVEL CAUGHT THE ACFT. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED NUMEROUS DUST DEVILS IN THE AREA ALL AFTERNOON. AS THE TWO PLTS DROVE AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE, THEY OBSERVED ANOTHER DUST DEVIL PASS OVER THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2739C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2739C), registered now, S/N R18200223, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- 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: R18200223
- Airframe hours: 1635
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sims, R. Douglas
- Registered owner: Sims, R. Douglas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1989, 66 hours before
- Departed: F26, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: TUTWILER, MS
- Airport: runway 3, 2,000 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,030 total, 997 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 38 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 19890528013419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890528013419A), May 28, 1989: Cessna 182R, Tutwiler, MS, Substantial damage. Sudden crosswind gust after landing forced aircraft off gravel strip and into a ditch. Dust devils seen in area.

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.