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Casualties unknown

Airplane Stalls After Encountering Wind Gust on Initial Climb (N253R)

Wheatfield, IN, US

On November 9, 2002, a Cessna 182N (registration N253R) was involved in an aviation accident near Wheatfield, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot not maintaining aircraft control and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind condition. Factors to the accident were the gusting wind condition and the inadvertent stall at a low altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane stalled twice after encountering a wind gust during initial climb following takeoff from runway 27; the pilot did not recover from the second stall before impact.

Incident Sequence

While on initial climb after takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust, stalled, and subsequently impacted the terrain. The pilot stated that he departed on runway 27 and encountered a "gust of wind from the south" which caused the airplane to stall. After recovering from the first stall, the airplane experienced a second stall. The pilot reported that he did not recover from the second stall prior to impact with the terrain.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that the airplane stalled after encountering a gust of wind from the south. Following recovery from the first stall, a second stall occurred, and the pilot was unable to recover before the airplane struck the ground.

Weather Information

At 1053, a weather observation station recorded the wind direction and speed as 200 degrees magnetic at 19 knots gusting to 24 knots.

Loss of control in flightAerodynamic stall

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Nov 2002 Cessna 182N accident near Wheatfield, IN?

An airplane stalled twice after encountering a wind gust during initial climb following takeoff from runway 27; the pilot did not recover from the second stall before impact.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Nov 2002 involved a Cessna 182N, registration N253R, at Wheatfield, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot not maintaining aircraft control and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind condition. Factors to the accident were the gusting wind condition and the inadvertent stall at a low altitude.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021115X05470. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.