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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 6, 1989 · Cessna 182A · N4985D

Lugoff, SC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lugoff, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N4985D
Operator
Lugoff Para-Flite Club
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA143

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND AFTER HAULING SKYDIVERS. HE RPRTD THAT WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL APCH TO LAND ON RWY 31 WITH 20 TO 30 DEG OF FLAPS EXTENDED, THE ACFT ENTERED A HIGH SINK RATE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. HE SAID THAT HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO INCREASE SPEED & THAT HE PLANNED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE IN THE FLARE, BUT THEN 'THE BOTTOM FELL OUT' & THE ACFTCOLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE FLT MANUAL RECOMMENDED THAT IF THE RWY LENGTH PERMITTED, CROSSWIND LANDINGS SHOULD BE PERFORMED WITH THE FLAPS RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER ESTIMATED THAT 560 FT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO LAND THE ACFT ON A HARD SURFACE WITH NO WIND & 40 DEG OF FLAPS. THE RWY LENGTH WAS 2800 FT. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM 240 TO 270 DEG WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. APRX 20 MI SOUTHEAST AT SHAW AFB, THE 1655 EDT WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 260 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 28 KTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SPEED FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL ON FINAL APPROACH. HIS EXCESSIVE USE OF FLAPS AND THE WIND CONDITIONS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS RETURNING TO LAND AFTER HAULING SKYDIVERS. HE RPRTD THAT WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL APCH TO LAND ON RWY 31 WITH 20 TO 30 DEG OF FLAPS EXTENDED, THE ACFT ENTERED A HIGH SINK RATE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. HE SAID THAT HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO INCREASE SPEED & THAT HE PLANNED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE IN THE FLARE, BUT THEN 'THE BOTTOM FELL OUT' & THE ACFTCOLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE FLT MANUAL RECOMMENDED THAT IF THE RWY LENGTH PERMITTED, CROSSWIND LANDINGS SHOULD BE PERFORMED WITH THE FLAPS RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER ESTIMATED THAT 560 FT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO LAND THE ACFT ON A HARD SURFACE WITH NO WIND & 40 DEG OF FLAPS. THE RWY LENGTH WAS 2800 FT. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM 240 TO 270 DEG WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. APRX 20 MI SOUTHEAST AT SHAW AFB, THE 1655 EDT WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 260 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 28 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportLUGOFF (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length2800 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN4985D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLugoff Para-Flite Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 20 kt, gusting 28 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data