Cessna 182RG accident near Page, Arizona, June 20, 1996
On June 20, 1996 at about 9:35 pm local time, a Cessna 182RG, registered N6309T, was destroyed in an accident near Page, Arizona (Page Municipal airport). 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's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty and crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 1996 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Page, Arizona · Page Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182RG · all 182RGs on the register
- Registration
- N6309T · no longer on the register · serial R18201968
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A Cessna 182 pilot was attempting to land on runway 15 with 20 degrees of flaps. There was a right crosswind which was reported to be gusting from 15 to 20 knots. Another aircraft had just departed from runway 33; the pilot of that aircraft reported that runway 33 might be more favorable. The pilot of the Cessna 182 stated that he could handle it. At about 150 feet over the approach end, he encountered severe turbulence with up and down drafts. He initiated a go-around and retracted the flaps to 10 degrees. The left wing tip contacted the runway and the airplane cartwheeled. The POH suggested minimum flaps when landing in a crosswind; and during balked landing, retract the flaps to 20 if extended until all obstacles are cleared and a safe altitude is attained. The airport manager stated that a squall with high winds and dust arrived as the aircraft was landing. He reported the wind direction and speed as unpredictable.
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: 3,000 hours in all; 380 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Q35 Las Cruces NM at 8:30 pm
- Destination: PGA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 15, 5,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:33 pm from PGA
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.