Casualties unknown

Aircraft Nosed Down in Mud After Runway Excursion (N21059)

Rochester, NY, US

On April 14, 1983, a Cessna 182 (registration N21059) was involved in an aviation accident near Rochester, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nosedown impact with mud. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-23Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departed the runway during landing in gusty winds, bouncing before striking the ground at an angle and nosing down into mud.

What happened

The aircraft experienced a significant excursion from the active runway environment during the landing phase of flight. Conditions were characterized by strong and gusty winds, which contributed to the difficulty of maintaining directional control. The pilot reported that the initial touchdown resulted in a bounce, causing the aircraft to become airborne again briefly before settling back onto the ground surface.

Upon the second contact with the runway, the aircraft was oriented approximately 35 degrees off the centerline. The pilot determined that attempting to realign the aircraft with the runway heading at that stage would pose excessive risk. Consequently, the decision was made to continue the landing sequence as it occurred. As the aircraft traveled beyond the paved surface, the wheels sank into the soft mud. This loss of support led to the nose section dropping downward, resulting in a nosedown attitude while the airframe remained embedded in the ground.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nosedown impact with mud.

All Cessna 182 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Apr 1983 Cessna 182 accident near Rochester, NY?

An aircraft departed the runway during landing in gusty winds, bouncing before striking the ground at an angle and nosing down into mud.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Apr 1983 involved a Cessna 182, registration N21059, at Rochester, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusty winds, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nosedown impact with mud.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42811. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.