Probable cause
The pilot failed to maintain a proper landing aim point. Contributing to the accident were the setting sun and the uneven terrain approaching the runway.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot was landing on runway 27 at a private grass airstrip. The sun was setting approximately 10 degrees left of the runway alignment. The pilot landed short of the runway and the airplane struck terrain approximately 12 inches below the runway surface. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. After the pilot egressed the airplane it caught fire and was destroyed. The pilot was not injured.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA004 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 8, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mount Vernon, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Private Airstrip Mt Vernon (NA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182P
- N-number
- N21544
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.