Cessna 180A accident near Russellville, Arkansas, May 3, 2026
On May 3, 2026 at about 4:14 pm local time, a 1958 Cessna 180A, registered N5235D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Russellville, Arkansas (Russellville Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2026 · about 4:14 pm local time
- Place
- Russellville, Arkansas · Russellville Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180A, built 1958 · all 180As on the register
- Registration
- N5235D · registry record · serial 50133
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,977 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: KPLK Branson MO at 3:28 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07/2, 5,505 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from RUE
Weather report (METAR): METAR KRUE 031653Z AUTO 22007KT 10SM CLR 20/06 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP191 T02000061 PNO $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.