# NTSB WPR21LA201: Cessna 182P, N8488M, Minden, NV, May 18, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 18, 2021, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV · Airport - Coordinates: 39.0005, -119.75111 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0005&lon=-119.7511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 103111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103111/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA201 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while on approach in microburst or windshear conditions, which resulted in impact with a runway sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 pilot reported that, during the landing approach, the airplane encountered a microburst or windshear. She applied full power and attempted to go-around, however despite her actions the airplane continued to descend and subsequently impacted a runway sign. The fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8488M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8488M), registered now, S/N 18264626, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18264626 - Year built: 1976 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Media Stew LLC - Registered owner: Media Stew LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe, runway 12/30, 5,299 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; restraint: 3-point - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor; medical: unknown; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 3001.00 inHg - Observed at: MEV - METAR: KMEV 182235Z AUTO 27015G25KT 230V320 10SM CLR 25/01 A3001 ## 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 20210518009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210518009149A), May 18, 2021: Cessna 182P, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. When landing, the right seat pilot/flight instructor stated that at approximately 100 feet above ground level, the left seat pilot called out a loss of left… ## Other investigations on N8488M (1) 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. - [NTSB SEA94LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA144), May 29, 1994: Cessna 182P (N8488M), Salt Lake City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: AN IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT, WHO WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT, AT THE TIME IT WAS DAMAGED. 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.