# NTSB NYC03LA050: Cessna 182R, N3338R, Warwick, NY, February 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 9, 2003, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Warwick, NY - Coordinates: 41.287498, -74.286941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2875&lon=-74.2869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 56471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56471/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56471 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA050 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds, and his failure to maintain the proper descent rate. A factor in the accident was the gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach to runway 21, a 2,150-foot-long, asphalt runway. The pilot reported he experienced a "sudden severe downdraft" just before touchdown and the airplane contacted the ground about 50 feet prior to the runway threshold. A portion of the nose gear separated, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane slid about 100 feet, before it came to rest on the runway. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles north-northeast of the accident site, were from 260 degrees at 12 knots, with 20-knot gusts. ## Factual narrative On February 9, 2003, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182R, N3338R, was substantially damaged while landing at the Warwick Municipal Airport (N72), Warwick, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported he entered the traffic pattern for runway 21, a 2,150-foot-long, asphalt runway. On final approach, he applied full flaps and maintained an airspeed between 65 and 70 knots. Just before touchdown, the airplane experienced a "sudden severe downdraft," and the nose landing gear struck an airport light and snow bank prior to the runway threshold. A portion of the nose gear separated, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane slid about 100 feet, before it came to rest on the runway. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the airplane contacted the ground about 50 feet prior to the runway threshold. Additionally, the terrain leading to runway sloped upward slightly. Winds reported at an airport about 18 miles north-northeast of Warwick, at 1445, were from 260 degrees at 12 knots, with 20-knot gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3338R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3338R), registered now, S/N R18200339, 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: R18200339 - Airframe hours: 1317 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rainer Hoffmann - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 2002, 23 hours before - Departed: 4N1, WEST MILFORD, NJ - Destination: N72, Warwick, NY - Airport: N72, Warwick, runway 21L, 2,150 × 28 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 5, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 300 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SWF, 15 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 20030209035259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030209035259A), Feb 9, 2003: Cessna R182, Warwick, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) Landed 50' short of runway 21L in the snow. The nose wheel broke off and aircraft skidded for about 125' down the active runway on the nose. [privacy… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56471. 888 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40181291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Telephone Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Telephone%20Memorandum-Redacted.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.