Cessna 182 accident near Cascade, Idaho, August 13, 2020
On August 13, 2020 at about 3:06 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 182, registered N92403, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Cascade, Idaho (Sulphur Creek Ranch Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to continue the unstable approach which resulted in an inadequate flare, bounced landing and collision with trees following a delayed go around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2020 · about 3:06 pm local time
- Place
- Cascade, Idaho · Sulphur Creek Ranch Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 N, built 1969 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N92403 · no longer on the register · serial 18260186
- 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 while on final approach to the runway, the airplane was too high. He initiated a slip to lose altitude, but the airplane was still too fast and high. After landing, the airplane collided with trees at the end of the ruwnay. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by initiating a go around sooner. Two witnesses reported that the airplane landed hard more than halfway down the runway and began to porpoise. With about 800 ft of runway remaining, they heard the pilot apply full engine power. The airplane subsequently departed the runway surface and impacted trees. A post impact fire ensured which substantially damaged the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine 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 (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
- Landing area overshoot during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 630 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 556 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 7, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,953 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 11, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 SERIES (piston); 2,500 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 3U2 Johnson Creek ID at 2:30 pm
- Destination: ID74 Cascade ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 3,300 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from MYL, 39 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 9, 2020. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | On Scene Photos | PDF, 3 pages | 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.