NTSB WPR22LA297 — 2022-08-05 · Yellow Pine, Idaho, United States

Current FAA registration · N722BS

Make / Model: CESSNA 182B
Year of manufacture: 1959 · 63 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES (230 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19590723
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A9AB24

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N722BS Cessna 182B None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while maneuvering.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while turning to the base leg at the uncontrolled airport, he heard and observed inbound traffic on a straight in approach for the same runway. The pilot turned the airplane to avoid the conflicting traffic and subsequently collided with the top of an unseen dead tree snag. The pilot still had control of the airplane, and unsure of the condition of his nose wheel, he returned to his departure airport where he landed without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2022_WPR22LA297.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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