Probable cause
The pilot's improper approach path at night and his misjudgment of the landing point, which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with the runway's engineered materials arrestor system.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while performing landings for night currency, he misjudged the approach, and the airplane landed short of the runway and then impacted the engineered materials arrestor system, which was about 370 ft lower than the approach end of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Archived NOTAMs for the date of the accident reported that the runway's visual approach slope indicator and end lighting were out of service.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA525 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 5, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Charleston, West Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Yeager (CRW)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 182
- N-number
- N2408Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- 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.