Cessna 182 accident near Robertsdale, Alabama, June 4, 2019
On June 4, 2019 at about 1:00 pm local time, a 1972 Cessna 182, registered N7317Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Robertsdale, Alabama (Elsanor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point while landing on a wet turf runway, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2019 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Robertsdale, Alabama · Elsanor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 P, built 1972 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N7317Q · no longer on the register · serial 18260957
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was landing the airplane on the 2,400-ft-long turf runway, which had tall trees on the approach end. During the landing flare, the airplane floated before touching down at least 600 ft down the runway. The airplane settled onto the runway, but the grass was wet, and the pilot was unable to stop the airplane. The airplane struck a ditch on the departure end of the runway, which resulted in damage to the empennage, horizontal stabilizer, engine mount, and firewall. Recorded weather information indicated calm winds. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
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
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Wet surface › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 226.8 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 167.3 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 22, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,528 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 4, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 SERIES (piston); 3,528 hours total
- Operator: Big Sky Flight Llc
The flight
- Departed from: CEW Crestview FL at 12:15 pm
- Destination: 1AL4 Robertsdale AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from CQF, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on September 19, 2019. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum of Record - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Weather | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photographs of Accident Site and Damage | PDF, 4 pages | 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.