# NTSB SEA96LA217: Cessna 182P, N9017M, Driggs, ID, September 22, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1996, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Driggs, ID
- Coordinates: 43.730236, -111.220535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7302&lon=-111.2205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA217

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.  Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty wind and soft terrain beside the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was making a personal use flight in VFR conditions. He reported that during the landing, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind that put it into a skid, which he could not correct. The airplane then departed the runway and encountered soft dirt, where it nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 1996, about 1450 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N9017M, owned by the pilot's wife, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at Driggs, Idaho, while being piloted by the owner's husband, who is a certificated private pilot.  The flight was a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed.  The pilot and the only passenger were not injured.  The flight had departed Salt Lake City, Utah, about 1330 earlier that day.

The pilot said he experienced a strong gust of wind just prior to or at touchdown.  He stated that the airplane went into a skid that he was unable to correct.  The airplane went off the runway and into the grass where it hit soft dirt and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9017M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9017M-1997-05-29), registration cancelled 1997-05-29, S/N 18264645 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264645
- Airframe hours: 2687
- Engines: Continental O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nancy L. Huntsman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1996, 25 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Destination: U59
- Airport: U59, Teton Peaks/Driggs Muni, runway 21, 7,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 63 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19960922029239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960922029239A), Sep 22, 1996: Cessna 182P, Driggs, ID, Substantial damage. Reported strong windgust landing. Went into a skid unable correct. Exited runway into soft dirt. Nosed 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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