Cessna T182T accident near Hillsboro, Oregon, December 25, 2013
On December 25, 2013, a 2001 Cessna T182T, registered N3531F, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Hillsboro, Oregon (Portland-Hillsboro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to continue the instrument approach beyond the published missed approach point.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 25, 2013
- Place
- Hillsboro, Oregon · Portland-Hillsboro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T182T T, built 2001 · all T182Ts on the register
- Registration
- N3531F · no longer on the register · serial T18208022
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during an instrument landing system (ILS) instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, she descended into fog about 1,000 feet above ground level. The pilot continued the approach beyond the minimum descent altitude and stated that she did not see the runway or runway environment until she was beyond the 1,000-foot runway markings, and realized the airplane had drifted right of the runway. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane towards the runway, however, it landed hard, in a grassy, mud covered area, off the right side of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the fuselage was structurally damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (IFR final approach)
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Fog › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,754 hours in all; 3,175 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 5,630 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 29, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,200 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 11, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OAR Marina CA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: HIO Hillsboro OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 13, 6,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 0 statute miles
- Sky: vv
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.53 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo 1: View of the Aircraft Postaccident. Courtesy of Airport Operations. | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.