Cessna 182 accident near Houston, Texas, April 1, 2026
On April 1, 2026 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 1975 Cessna 182, registered N6569M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Houston, Texas (West Houston 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 pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 1, 2026 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Houston, Texas · West Houston Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 P, built 1975 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N6569M · registry record · serial 18263760
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 15. The pilot stated that the reported wind was from 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20 knots, and during the landing flare, a wind gust caused the left wing to rise rapidly. The pilot attempted corrective control inputs; however, the right wing subsequently contacted the runway, resulting in a loss of directional control. The airplane veered to the right, departed the runway surface, and entered a ditch. The right wing and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,328 hours in all; 218 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,144 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 26, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,759.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 2026; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-470 SERIES (piston); 1,415 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LBX Angleton TX at 6:15 pm
- Destination: IWS Houston TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15/3, 3,953 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 1:00 pm from KSGR, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSGR 011753Z 18016G23KT 10SM BKN033 BKN042 BKN110 27/21 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP163 60043 T02720206 10283 20217 58002
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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 May 14, 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 | Photos | 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.