Cessna TR182 accident near Factoryville, Pennsylvania, July 16, 2008
On July 16, 2008, a Cessna TR182, registered N739AZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Factoryville, Pennsylvania (Siemens Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's diverted attention while on final approach and his delay in performing a go-around during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were sun glare and excessive airspeed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2008
- Place
- Factoryville, Pennsylvania · Siemens Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TR182 · all TR182s on the register
- Registration
- N739AZ · no longer on the register · serial R18200980
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he became momentarily distracted by the sun while on final approach, which resulted in a fast approach. After landing he realized he was unable to stop on the runway, and applied power to go-around, but was too late. While on the ground, the airplane traveled off the departure end of the runway, down a hill, and came to rest in a cornfield. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to 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
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Landing area overshoot during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Glare › Contributed to outcome
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 112 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 23 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,682.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-L3C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AVP Wilkes-Barre PA at 11:45 pm
- Destination: 9N3 Factoryville PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 pm from KAVP, 15 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
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.