Cessna TR182 accident near Twin Falls, Idaho, September 15, 2002
On September 15, 2002 at about 4:35 pm local time, a Cessna TR182, registered N738GX, was destroyed in an accident near Twin Falls, Idaho (Joslin Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and his failure to execute a timely go-around maneuver resutling in the aircraft's impacting a parked fuel truck well clear of the runway safety area. Contributing factors were the strong crosswind/gusty wind conditions and the parked fuel truck.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2002 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Twin Falls, Idaho · Joslin Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TR182 · all TR182s on the register
- Registration
- N738GX · no longer on the register · serial R18200926
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 2,200 hour pilot of the Cessna TR182 obtained a weather brief from Great Falls FSS during which he was advised of winds at his intermediate fuel stop, Twin Falls, Idaho, from 170 degrees at 16 knots. The pilot contacted Twin Falls tower 13 nautical miles north for landing and was advised that the winds were from 150 degrees magnetic at 20 knots favoring runway 12. Just under 4 minutes later the pilot contacted Twin Falls tower reporting 3 miles out and the controller cleared the aircraft to land on runway 12. The controller provided no wind information nor did the pilot request any wind information. The Airport Facility Directory in effect indicated the airport had an Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) which was keyed to 135.025 megahertz. Tuning this frequency would enable the pilot to receive continuous meteorological information including wind conditions. However, it was not known whether the pilot utilized this capability. The tower controller reported during the aircraft's approach that it drifted left, and the pilot attempted a go around. A fueler also observed the aircraft in a continuous right wing low attitude as it drifted further left until impacting a parked fuel truck positioned 156 feet outside the runway safety area and 231 feet left of the runway centerline. The fuel truck was one of 4 parked in a marshalling area. The ASOS recorded winds at the time of the accident from160 degrees magnetic at 22 knots gusting to 29 knots with a peak wind reported at the time near the accident of 180 degrees at 29 knots. Runway 12 magnetic centerline was measured at 120 degrees and the Cessna TR182 Wind Components Chart indicated a maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity of 18 knots but noted that this was not a limitation. No evidence of mechanical malfunction was noted during the on-site examination and the aircraft's gear were found extended with the flaps extended 5 degrees.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FCA Kalispell MT at 2:00 pm
- Destination: TWF Twin Falls ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 12, 3,224 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 19 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TWF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.