# NTSB SEA92LA146: Cessna 182Q, N97046, Melstone, MT, July 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1992, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Melstone, MT
- Coordinates: 46.569461, -107.930343 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5695&lon=-107.9303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA146

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WAS SELECTED, ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN AND A GO AROUND WAS NOT PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS INTENDING TO LAND ON A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN INTO BEFORE. THE DAY BEFORE THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT HAD CONTACTED THE OWNER FOR DIRECTIONS AND THE CONDITION OF THE STRIP. WHEN THE FLIGHT ARRIVED, THE PILOT FOUND AN AREA THAT LOOKED LIKE WHAT THE OWNER HAD DESCRIBED. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FIELD LOOKED WET, SO A SOFT FIELD LANDING WAS INITIATED. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE SURFACE WAS VERY ROUGH. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL BOUNCED ON A MOUND OF DIRT. WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL CONTACTED THE SURFACE, IT SUNK INTO THE SOFT SOIL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. LATER, THE PILOT FOUND OUT THAT THE AREA WHERE HE HAD LANDED WAS, IN FACT, NOT THE AIRSTRIP, BUT A CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR A RAILROAD OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97046](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97046), registered now, S/N 18266952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266952
- Airframe hours: 1456
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cogswell Agency
- Registered owner: Cogswell Agency
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 531 total, 421 in this make and model, 428 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 275° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920707023999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920707023999A), Jul 7, 1992: Cessna 182Q, Melstone, MT, Substantial damage. Landed on rough tall grass strip by mistake. Nosed over. Soft wet ground. Air strip destination other side of town.

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.

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