# NTSB WPR20CA217: Cessna 182, N7726M, Absarokee, MT, July 8, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2020, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Absarokee, MT - Coordinates: 45.499168, -109.435279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4992&lon=-109.4353&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101584 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101584/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101584 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around that resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and aerodynamically stalling which resulted in a collision with the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during the landing approach he performed a "crab" maneuver to counter the left crosswind. Just prior to touchdown he applied full engine power with the intention of going around, but the airplane drifted left and stalled. The nosewheel and propeller hit the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that during the landing approach he performed a "crab" maneuver to counter the left crosswind. Just prior to touchdown he applied full engine power with the intention of going around, but the airplane drifted left and stalled. The nosewheel and propeller hit the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7726M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7726M-2021-10-25), registration cancelled 2021-10-25, S/N 18263903, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470-S](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-s) (registry code 17375, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18263903 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 2370 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: May 16, 2020 - Departed: 6S3, Columbus, MT - Destination: Redman PVT, MT - Airport: PVT, Redman Private, runway 27, 3,000 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 76 total, 7 in this make and model, 76 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: BIL, 12 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 20200708009569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200708009569A), Jul 8, 2020: Cessna 182P, Absarokee, MT, Substantial damage. Student pilot was flying solo practice flight. On arrival to private grass strip he encountered a quartering tailwind. Pilot attempted to abort landing while… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101584. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 857 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.