Cessna 182T accident near Marengo, Illinois, April 25, 2003
On April 25, 2003 at about 5:10 pm local time, a Cessna 182T, registered N35291, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marengo, Illinois (Private airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusty crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 25, 2003 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Marengo, Illinois · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182T · all 182Ts on the register
- Registration
- N35291 · registry record · serial 18280970
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane sustained substantial damage when it landed hard at a private grass airstrip. The pilot reported he encountered strong downdrafts and windshear while landing. The pilot stated he attempted to recover from the descent, but was unsuccessful. The airplane impacted the runway and the main landing gear penetrated into the sod runway. The landing gear then separated from the airplane and the airplane nosed over. A weather station 21 miles to the west of the accident site reported winds from 030 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 22 knots.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all; 1,100 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,800 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 15, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 122 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 7, 2002; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BUU Burlington WI at 4:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Marengo IL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,400 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 4:54 pm from RFD, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.