Cessna 182M accident near Wilson Bar, Idaho, July 6, 2009
On July 6, 2009 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Cessna 182M, registered N71186, was destroyed in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Wilson Bar, Idaho (Wilson Bar airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s misjudged approach that led to a long landing and his failure to execute a go-around when he realized that he overshot his intended point of landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 6, 2009 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Wilson Bar, Idaho · Wilson Bar · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182M · all 182Ms on the register
- Registration
- N71186 · no longer on the register · serial 18259523
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot overflew the unimproved mountain airstrip in preparation for landing. The pilot reported that the windsock appeared to indicate a calm wind or very little tail wind. The pilot stated that the airplane did not touchdown until 2/3 of the way down the runway. The airplane subsequently exited the far end of the runway, impacting rough terrain and trees, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane and minor injuries to occupants. Examination of the airplane revealed structural damage to the wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no known mechanical anomalies with the flight control systems and he reported that the left brake was operating at the time of application.
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)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Landing distance › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,170 hours in all; 1,292 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 3,170 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 18, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,170 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 18, 2009; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U79 Chamberlain ID at 4:30 pm
- Destination: ID76 Wilson Bar ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 1,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from KMYL, 40 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.