Cessna T182T accident near Newport, Rhode Island, May 10, 2008
On May 10, 2008 at about 2:51 pm local time, a Cessna T182T, registered N65433, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Newport, Rhode Island (Newport State Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper weather evaluation and a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2008 · about 2:51 pm local time
- Place
- Newport, Rhode Island · Newport State Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T182T · all T182Ts on the register
- Registration
- N65433 · no longer on the register · serial T18208321
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a Cessna T182T stated that while approaching the destination airport, he checked the weather and observed the winds to be from 010 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. He reported that based on this weather observation he mistakenly chose to land on runway 22. During the landing approach the pilot reported that the airplane was not descending as it normally did, and that he was unable to "get it down." The airplane touched down about mid-point of the 2,999-foot long runway and bounced three times. The pilot then attempted to abort the landing by applying full power and performing a go-around. The airplane climbed approximately 30 feet and then began to drift left. The airplane then descended and collided with swampy terrain 250 feet beyond the end of the runway. The pilot and both passengers reported hearing the stall warning horn sound continuously during the go-around sequence. The recorded wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 020 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 21 knots.
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)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weather planning › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 762 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 591 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2008; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: UUU Newport RI
- Destination: UUU Newport RI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,999 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,400 ft; clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from UUU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.