On May 27, 1984, a Cessna 182Q (registration N95981) operated by Cothran Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Whitney, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to stop the aircraft on the available runway length due to strong wind conditions and lack of visual wind indicators, resulting in a runway overrun. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft after landing on a short runway with strong crosswinds, causing it to overrun into a ditch and collapse the nose gear.
What happened
The pilot reported that he was unable to bring the aircraft to a stop after touching down on a 2000-foot asphalt runway. The aircraft continued past the end of the paved surface and struck a ditch located beyond the threshold. Upon impact, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to nosed over.
The weather conditions at the time included wind blowing from 210 degrees at 20 knots with gusts reaching 25 knots. The pilot noted that there was no visual wind tee available at the airport to assist with wind direction assessment during the approach and landing phase.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to stop the aircraft on the available runway length due to strong wind conditions and lack of visual wind indicators, resulting in a runway overrun.
What happened in the 27 May 1984 Cessna 182Q accident near Whitney, TX?
The pilot was unable to stop the aircraft after landing on a short runway with strong crosswinds, causing it to overrun into a ditch and collapse the nose gear.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 May 1984 involved a Cessna 182Q, registration N95981, operated by Cothran Aviation, at Whitney, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inability to stop the aircraft on the available runway length due to strong wind conditions and lack of visual wind indicators, resulting in a runway overrun.
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