# NTSB SEA96LA195: Cessna 182E, N3270Y, Grangeville, ID, August 18, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1996, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Grangeville, ID
- Coordinates: 45.900466, -116.130386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9005&lon=-116.1304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA195

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment and clearance from a fence post during landing.  Factors relating to the accident were: an animal (deer) on the approach end of the runway, an encounter with a downdraft, and a fence post near the edge of the airstrip.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was on short final when a deer darted from the woods onto the approach end of the runway. He pulled up to miss the deer, and then continued his attempt to land on the 2100 foot grass strip. After passing over the deer, the aircraft drifted to the side of the dog-legged runway, encountered a downdraft, and collided with a fence post near the left edge of the airstrip. After hitting the post, the aircraft veered to the left and flipped over.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1996, approximately 0700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N3270Y, collided with a fence post while landing at the Pope/Devleig private airstrip near Grangeville, Idaho. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Nampa, Idaho about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident.  The pilot was on a VFR flight plan, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was later turned off at the scene.

According to the pilot, he was on short final when a deer darted from the woods onto the approach end of the runway. He pulled up to miss the deer, and then continued his attempt to land on the 2100 foot grass strip. After passing over the deer, the aircraft drifted to the side of the dog-legged runway, encountered a downdraft, collided with a fence post, and twisted sideways. The aircraft touched down while still about 15 to 20 degrees off the runway heading, veered to the left, and flipped over near the edge of the  strip.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3270Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3270Y-1996-11-26), registration cancelled 1996-11-26, S/N 18254270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254270
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Holubetz, Terry B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1996
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Pope/Devleig

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,850 total, 720 in this make and model, 2,420 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19960818023219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960818023219A), Aug 18, 1996: Cessna 182E, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. To avoid deer on runway, pilot added power, veered, wingtip hit post and aircraft flipped over.

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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