Cessna 182J accident near Springfield, Missouri, October 27, 2004
On October 27, 2004, a Cessna 182J, registered N2703F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Springfield, Missouri (Springfield-Branson Regional). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance while turning to reverse direction on final approach. A factor associated with the accident was the night lighting conditions which existed at the time of the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2004
- Place
- Springfield, Missouri · Springfield-Branson Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182J · all 182Js on the register
- Registration
- N2703F · no longer on the register · serial 18256803
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with a tree and terrain while maneuvering on final approach during a night landing. The airplane crossed over the airport at an altitude of approximately 2,800 feet above mean sea level (msl) and was cleared for the visual approach to runway 20. The pilot questioned the location of the airport and requested that air traffic control (ATC) provide vectors to final approach. ATC vectored the airplane to a 7-mile final approach. The airplane was at an altitude of approximately 3,100 feet msl, 7 miles from the airport. Once the airplane turned onto final approach the pilot reported having the airport in sight at which time ATC again cleared the airplane for the visual approach. ATC then informed the pilot he was one mile from the airport and asked if he was "gonna be able to get down from there." Radar data indicates the airplane was at an altitude of approximately 1,800 feet mean sea level (msl) [540 feet above ground level (agl)] as it approached the end of the runway. The pilot stated he wanted to make a circle and that he was cleared to land on runway 020. The controller informed the pilot that he was cleared to runway 20 which was a half mile in front of him. Again the pilot requested to circle or extend the "downwind." The controller informed the pilot that the runway was 7,000 feet long, but that he could make a 360-degree turn if he needed to. The pilot responded that he was going to make a left 360-degree turn. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane over the runway prior to it entering a left descending turn during and impacting the terrain. The airplane impacted a tree about 30 feet above the ground. The airplane continued to travel 594 feet along up sloping terrain prior to coming to rest. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the accident.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Crew member
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 105 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,955 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 18, 2004; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ADM Ardmore MO at 10:26 pm
- Destination: SGF Springfield MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 20, 7,003 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,700 ft; scat at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 1:52 am from SGF, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.