Cessna 182H accident near Lakeview, Arkansas, October 30, 2025
On October 30, 2025 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 182H, registered N2040X, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Lakeview, Arkansas (Gastons 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 failure to maintain a proper approach path during landing which resulted in a collision with terrain short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the improper flap position during landing, and the pilot being fatigued.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 30, 2025 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lakeview, Arkansas · Gastons · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182H, built 1965 · all 182Hs on the register
- Registration
- N2040X · registry record · serial 18256140
- 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 during the landing, he noticed that his approach path was taking the airplane towards an unexpected ditch short of the runway threshold. The pilot attempted to correct by increasing engine power; however, the airplane impacted on the berm short of the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot mistakenly set the flaps to the improper setting which had altered the airplane’s approach path and degraded aircraft performance. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot reported that he had not been sleeping well for the past several weeks and was likely fatigued and exhausted.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Physical › Alertness/Fatigue › Lack of sleep › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 640 hours in all; 640 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 24, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,288 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 12, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PLK Branson MO
- Destination: 3M0 Lakeview AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,200 ft by 55 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KBPK, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBPK 301953Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM SCT036 14/04 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP161 T01440044 PWINO $=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The 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 March 13, 2026. 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 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 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.