Cessna 182 accident near Page, Arizona, April 29, 2018
On April 29, 2018 at about 8:10 pm local time, a 1974 Cessna 182, registered N7553N, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Page, Arizona (Page Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a rejected takeoff in gusting quarting tailwind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 29, 2018 · about 8:10 pm local time
- Place
- Page, Arizona · Page Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 P, built 1974 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N7553N · no longer on the register · serial 18263243
- 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 takeoff, the airplane experienced a "loss of lift." He added that he rejected the takeoff, and while landing back on the runway, the airplane bounced and veered left. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in a shallow ditch. The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 3,100 pounds and that the weight at the time of the accident was 3,055 pounds. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, cloud condition clear, temperature 26°C (79°F), dew point -16°C (3°F), altimeter setting 29.71 inches of mercury. The airplane was departing runway 15. The estimated density altitude was 6,816 ft.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing
- Runway excursion during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 211 hours in all; 96 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 211 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 29, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,011.0 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 22, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PGA Page AZ at 8:10 pm
- Destination: AVQ Marana AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 15, 5,950 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KPGA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 12, 2018. 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.