# NTSB SEA97LA026: Cessna 182G, N3126S, Hardin, MT, November 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 1996, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Hardin, MT - Coordinates: 45.700012, -107.689659 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7000&lon=-107.6897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42539 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42539/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA026 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft after touched down. Factors relating to the accident included the pilot's abrupt movement of the throttle as he attempted to initiate a go-around, the strong/gusty/quartering crosswind, and a ditch near the edge of the airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr) - throttle/power control - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot made an approach to land on runway 28 with with the wind from 310 degrees at 25 gusting 40 knots. He encountered a strong gust just as the aircraft touched down. Because he was having trouble controlling the aircraft in the strong wind, he initiated a go-around, but advanced the throttle (in a manner that he believed was) too abrupt, resulting in a loss of engine power. He then transitioned back to the landing, but did not keep the aircraft from departing the side of the runway. After the aircraft departed the runway, it hit a ditch and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 1996, approximately 1500 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182G, N3126S, operated and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a loss of control while landing on the pilot's private airstrip near Hardin, Montana. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated at Glasgow, Montana. The pilot reported that upon arrival at his private strip, he encountered strong crosswinds, gusting to 40 knots, and blowing about 30 degrees from the runway heading. On his second attempt to land to the west, the aircraft was hit by a strong gust just as it touched down, and because he was having trouble controlling it in the strong winds, he attempted to go around. As he initiated the go-around, he abruptly applied power, resulting in the engine momentarily losing power. He then transitioned back to a landing, and during the ground roll, the aircraft departed the runway, rolling into a shallow ditch and nosing over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3126S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3126S-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 18255626, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182-55626 - Airframe hours: 5200 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenney, Kevin, L. - Registered owner: S.A.K., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: GGW, GLASGOW, MT - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 28, 1,500 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 980 total, 980 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 25 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19961107034879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961107034879A), Nov 7, 1996: Cessna 182G, Hardin, MT, Substantial damage. Hit by strong crosswind gust landing. Began go around. Over boosted engine hesitated. Aborted. Overran runway. 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.