Cessna 182F accident near Idaho Falls, Idaho, June 21, 2023
On June 21, 2023 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 1962 Cessna 182F, registered N3531Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Idaho Falls, Idaho (Idaho Falls Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 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 directional control while landing with a gusting crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 2023 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Idaho Falls, Idaho · Idaho Falls Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182F, built 1962 · all 182Fs on the register
- Registration
- N3531Y · registry record · serial 18254431
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the airplane was stable during approach when a wind gust caused the airplane to veer left when over the runway. The airplane subsequently flew over the grass area beside the runway and contacted a runway sign, which damaged the right strut and detached its wheel. The pilot aborted the landing, diverted to another airport with a longer runway, and successfully landed the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident 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
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 248 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 202 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 42 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 154,174 hours total
- Operator: Cj3 Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: U56 Rigby ID at 10:15 pm
- Destination: KAFO Afton WY
- Runway 16, 7,025 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 15 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KIDA
Weather report (METAR): KIDA 212353Z 22015G26KT 10SM SCT090 19/M03 A3015 RMK AO2 PK WND 22026/2344 SLP195 T01941033 10206 20139 58003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 7, 2023. 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, 16 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 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.