Cessna 182P accident near Versailles, Missouri, September 22, 2003
On September 22, 2003 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Cessna 182P, registered N74LW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Versailles, Missouri (Roy Otten Memorial Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot touched down with excessive airspeed. Factors associated with the accident were the trees, the wet runway, the wet grass that the airplane traveled onto, and the ditch which the airplane contacted.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2003 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Versailles, Missouri · Roy Otten Memorial Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N74LW · no longer on the register · serial 18262888
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane received substantial damage when it nosed over during an overrun landing. The pilot reported his approach was higher than normal due to trees at the end of runway 7 (2,805 feet by 39 feet) and his airspeed was too fast. He stated the runway was wet and the airplane skidded when he applied brakes after touching down. He released the brakes to straighten the airplane heading, then he reapplied the brakes. He reported the airplane traveled off the end of the runway into the wet grass. The airplane continued across an airport service road and into a ditch. The nose gear collapsed upon contacting the ditch and the airplane nosed over. The Airport Facility Directory notes trees as an obstruction for runway 7 at 3VS. The website AirNav.com states there are 23 foot tall trees 225 feet from the approach end of runway 7, and 40 feet right of the runway centerline. It also states 1 to 18 foot tall brush and trees are present 100 to 200 feet from the approach end of the runway.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,532 hours in all; 274 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,532 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 6, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,466.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 2003; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3GV Grain Valley MO at 3:30 pm
- Destination: 3VS Versailles MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7, 2,805 ft by 39 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 900 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from DMO, 25 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.