Cessna 182P accident near Minden, Nevada, May 18, 2021
On May 18, 2021 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1976 Cessna 182P, registered N8488M, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Minden, Nevada (Minden-Tahoe airport). It was an other work-use 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 maintain airplane control while on approach in microburst or windshear conditions, which resulted in impact with a runway sign.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 18, 2021 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Minden, Nevada · Minden-Tahoe · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P, built 1976 · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N8488M · registry record · serial 18264626
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing approach, the airplane encountered a microburst or windshear. She applied full power and attempted to go-around, however despite her actions the airplane continued to descend and subsequently impacted a runway sign. The fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Sign/marker › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Media Stew LLC
The flight
- Runway 12/3, 5,299 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 1°F (-17°C)
- Altimeter: 3001.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:40 pm from MEV
Weather report (METAR): KMEV 182235Z AUTO 27015G25KT 230V320 10SM CLR 25/01 A3001
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N8488M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.