Cessna R182 N738PG

Summary

On 18 November 2024 at about 20:35 local time, a Cessna R182 registered N738PG was involved in an accident near Crowley, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 November 2024 at 20:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Crowley, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

A J Patrol (LS09)

Coordinates

30.1428, -92.3333

Aircraft

Cessna R182

Registration

N738PG

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA045

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s un-stabilized landing approach and high airspeed during the approach, that resulted in touchdown with insufficient runway remaining to stop the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was returning from a pipeline patrol flight and was landing to the south on the north-south oriented grass runway which was wet from recent rain. He said that upon touchdown the airplane “yanked” to the left and began sliding on the wet grass. He could not stop the airplane because of the reduced braking action due to the wet runway. The airplane impacted a hangar located at the south end of the runway and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The operator reported that he had witnessed the accident. He noted that the weather conditions were getting worse and were approaching instrument meteorological conditions. He saw the airplane approach from the north to land to the south on the north-south oriented runway. Initially the airplane was lined up on a field to the east of the runway and he then saw the airplane attempt to turn and line up with the runway. He noted that the airplane appeared lower and faster than normal. After the airplane turned toward the runway, it touched down about halfway down the 2,500 ft. runway and was about 45° from runway alignment. The airplane then started to skid sideways on the wet grass. The airplane tires then regained grip and the airplane darted to the side and impacted the hangar at the south end of the runway. The operator stated that the pilot did not report any problem with the rudder trim system either before or after the accident. Well after the accident, the pilot stated that the rudder trim on the airplane was not operating correctly, and the skid-slip ball was not centered during the flight. He said the rudder trim wheel had no tension. He reported no other mechanical issues with the airplane. The pilot’s report of the rudder trim system issues was not provided until after the airplane was no longer available for examination of the rudder trim system. Regardless, the rudder trim should not have inhibited the pilot from maintaining directional control of the airplane while landing on the wet runway. The reported weather conditions at a nearby airport included a broken ceiling of 700 ft. above ground level (agl), an overcast ceiling at 1,300 ft. agl, and 7 miles visibility.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.