Cessna 182B accident near Girdwood, Alaska, April 12, 2025
On April 12, 2025 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1959 Cessna 182B, registered N916GG, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Girdwood, Alaska (Girdwood airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in a nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2025 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Girdwood, Alaska · Girdwood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182B, built 1959 · all 182Bs on the register
- Registration
- N916GG · registry record · serial 52236
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before landing, the pilot reported that he had completed a low reconnaissance pass over the snow-covered runway. While conducting the low pass he noticed tire tracks in the snow and determined the snow was about 6 inches in depth. On final approach, he set the flaps to 30 degrees and performed a soft field landing. The main landing gear touched down into the snow with no issues. He applied additional engine power to cushion the nosewheel touchdown. As the nosewheel touched down, it dug into the snow and the nosewheel “slammed” into the ground. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Roll over during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 110 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 30 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 10, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,010 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 9, 2024; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470R (piston); 5,010 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PAAQ Palmer AK at 6:37 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 02, 2,095 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from PANC, 29 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PANC 121953Z 00000KT 10SM BKN065 OVC200 02/M07 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP118 T00171067 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident airplane at accident site
Photograph 2 – Accident airplane at accident site
Photograph 3 - Accident airplane at accident site
Photograph 4 - Accident airplane at accident siteThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 11, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | 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.