Cessna 182P accident near Northport, Michigan, May 20, 2026
On May 20, 2026 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1973 Cessna 182P, registered N86289, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Northport, Michigan (North Fox Island Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to resume taxiing on a turf runway that was unable to adequately support the airplane's weight, which resulted in the nose landing gear sinking into the soft ground and the propeller striking the terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2026 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Northport, Michigan · North Fox Island Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P, built 1973 · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N86289 · registry record · serial 18261923
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot conducted an aerial inspection of the grass runway before landing and observed no indications that the surface was unsuitable for operations. The landing was uneventful; however, during a subsequent turn to back taxi, the right main landing gear became stuck in soft terrain. After freeing the airplane, the pilot elected to use a soft-field takeoff technique to taxi the airplane to a drier portion of the runway. During this attempt, the nosewheel encountered another area of soft terrain, sank into the ground, and the propeller struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Miscellaneous/other during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Soft surface › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Taxiing › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 526 hours in all; 526 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 526 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 23, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,285 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 3, 2025; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors O-470R74B (piston); 375 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MBL Manistee MI at 6:11 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 3,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KSJX, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSJX 201955Z AUTO 33007KT 310V010 10SM CLR 10/M00 A3031 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN26LA216.