Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing factors include, the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision making, the crosswind and gusty wind conditions, the ditch, and the berm.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On April 5, 2003, at 1538 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182G, N3749U, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing roll at Truth or Consequences Municipal Airport (TCS), Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for this personal cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Belen, New Mexico, at approximately 1430.
The pilot stated that while landing on runway 31, he encountered a "strong" gust of wind. He attempted to regain control, but the airplane departed the left side of the runway, across a ditch, and struck a berm approximately 70 feet prior to the intersection of runway 01-19. The impact with the berm collapsed the nose landing gear, buckled the firewall, and displaced the right main landing gear.
The pilot stated that at the time of the accident the wind was 220 degrees at 31 knots gusting to 45 knots. At 1553, the reported weather at TCS was wind, 220 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 27 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 21 degrees C.; dew point, minus 18 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 29.72. The calculated density altitude was 6,891 feet msl.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN03LA064