Cessna 182 accident near Killeen, Texas, April 21, 2017
On April 21, 2017 at about 8:15 pm local time, a 1963 Cessna 182, registered N3308U, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Killeen, Texas (Skylark Field). It was a personal 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 incorrect landing flare in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 21, 2017 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Killeen, Texas · Skylark Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 F, built 1963 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N3308U · no longer on the register · serial 18254708
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions, the airplane "experienced an unexpected nose down pitch with an immediate impact of the front tire on the runway." He added that the airplane porpoised during the rollout but that he was able to keep the airplane on the runway and taxi to the ramp without further incident. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 288 hours in all; 115 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 7, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,558.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 3,601 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TPL Temple TX at 8:00 pm
- Destination: ILE Killeen TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,495 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 pm from KILE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2017. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.