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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 21, 2004 · Cessna 182K · N2861R

Durango, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Durango, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 182K
Tail Number
N2861R
Operator
Robert E Wolff
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN04CA066

During the landing on runway 20, the pilot encountered a gust of wind, drifting the airplane to the left and off of the runway. During the ground roll, the nose wheel stuck in the soft dirt, tearing the nose wheel off and tipping the airplane onto the left wing. substantially damaging the airplane. At 1653 the METAR (Routine Aviation Weather) reported the winds as 280 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 22 knots. At 1707, a peak wind of 270 degrees at 30 knots was recorded. According to the Cessna Information Manual for the C182, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 18 knots. The calculated crosswind component varied from 12 knots to 29 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the crosswind and the crosswind component exceeded.

Full Narrative

On April 21, 2004, at approximately 1710 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182K, N2861R, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at Durango-La Plata Airport, Durango, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Ramona, California, at 1400. According to the pilot, during the landing on runway 20, he encountered a gust of wind, causing the airplane to drift left off of the runway. During the ground roll, the nose wheel stuck in the soft dirt, tearing the nose wheel off and tipping the airplane onto the left wing. The left wing tip was crushed, the main carry-through spar was bent and the firewall was wrinkled. At 1653 the METAR (Routine Aviation Weather) reported the winds as 280 degrees at 13 knots with gusts to 22 knots. At 1707, a peak wind of 270 degrees at 30 knots was recorded. According to the Cessna Information Manual for the C182, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 18 knots. The calculated crosswind component varied from 12 knots to 29 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 MDT
Nearest AirportDurango La Plata County (5nm SSW)
Runway20
Runway Length9201 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182K
Tail NumberN2861R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert E Wolff
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 13 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 21 C
Altimeter29.78 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data