Cessna 182 E accident near Sweetgrass, Montana, July 2, 2002
On July 2, 2002 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Cessna 182 E, registered N3387Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sweetgrass, Montana (Ross International 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 failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions after encountering a crosswind gust during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds, and a fence in the vicinity of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 2002 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sweetgrass, Montana · Ross International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 E · all 182 Es on the register
- Registration
- N3387Y · registry record · serial 18254387
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot, who was landing his aircraft in gusty crosswinds, was able to successfully touch down near the center of the runway, but soon thereafter encountered a gust that was stronger than he had expected. After encountering the gust, the aircraft started drifting toward the right side of the runway, and because the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, it eventually departed the runway surface. After leaving the runway, the aircraft impacted a nearby fence and sustained substantial damage.
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: 396 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: January 28, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,135 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 3, 2002; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GTF Great Falls MT at 3:00 pm
- Destination: 7S8 Sweetgrass MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 25, 2,900 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.