Cessna 182K accident near Cordova, Alaska, May 29, 2021
On May 29, 2021 at about 9:12 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna 182K, registered N2761Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Cordova, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An encounter with mountain wave turbulence and windshear that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane and resulted in impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2021 · about 9:12 pm local time
- Place
- Cordova, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182K K, built 1967 · all 182Ks on the register
- Registration
- N2761Q · no longer on the register · serial 18257961
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, before departure, he reviewed weather conditions and proposed destination locations, which included winds aloft and METARs. About 2 hours and 15 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of about 12,500 mean sea level (msl), the airplane encountered severe turbulence and windshear, and, shortly thereafter, a downdraft. Unable to escape the downdraft, the pilot attempted to level the wings and pitched up. The airplane impacted mountainous terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, left horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Review of weather information revealed a relatively strong pressure gradient in the area. Upper air soundings indicated favorable conditions for severe mountain wave conditions with updraft and downdraft speeds between 2,000 and 3,000 ft per minute. Based on the available information, it is likely that the flight encountered mountain wave conditions, including severe turbulence, windshear, and downdrafts greater than 2,000 ft per minute, which exceeded the climb capability of the airplane and resulted in descent into terrain.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Windshear or thunderstorm during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Turbulence encounter during enroute (cruise)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › Terrain induced turbulence › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 838 hours in all; 788 in this make and model; 72 in the last 90 days; 42 in the last 30 days; 783 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 16, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,938 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Talkeetna AK
- Destination: Yakutat AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PACV, 59 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PACV 292053Z 10006KT 8SM -RA OVC050 09/06 A2970 RMK AO2 SLP058 P0003 60013 T00890061 51008
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 2, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Factual Report | PDF, 35 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather - Attachment 1 | GIF file | Download |
| 4 | Weather - Attachment 2 | zip file | Download |
| 5 | Weather - Attachment 3 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Weather - Attachment 4 | zip file | Download |
| 7 | Weather - Attachment 5 | zip file | Download |
| 8 | Witness Statements | PDF, 40 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Opsvue Track Data | data file | Download |
| 10 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.