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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

July 2, 2002 · Cessna 182 E · N3387Y

Sweetgrass, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sweetgrass, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 182 E
Tail Number
N3387Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA02LA118

The pilot, who was landing his aircraft in gusty crosswinds, was able to successfully touch down near the center of the runway, but soon thereafter encountered a gust that was stronger than he had expected. After encountering the gust, the aircraft started drifting toward the right side of the runway, and because the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, it eventually departed the runway surface. After leaving the runway, the aircraft impacted a nearby fence and sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions after encountering a crosswind gust during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds, and a fence in the vicinity of the runway.

Full Narrative

On July 2, 2002, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182E, N3387Y, impacted a fence during the landing roll at Sweetgrass Airport (Ross International), Sweetgrass, Montana. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Great Falls, Montana, about one hour prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft had been on a VFR flight plan. There was no report of an ELT activation. In a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator, the pilot said that although he was landing in a crosswind, he was able to successfully touch down near the center of the runway. But, during the initial part of the landing roll, the aircraft encountered a crosswind gust that was stronger than he had expected. After encountering the gust, the aircraft started veering toward the right side of the runway, and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control. After departing the side of the runway, the aircraft impacted a fence and sustained substantial damage. According to the pilot, there did not appear to be any mechanical malfunctions or failures in either the aircrafts structure or flight controls.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MDT
Nearest AirportRoss International (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length2900 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182 E
Tail NumberN3387Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data