SEA02FA175 · Cessna TR182

The 2,200 hour pilot of the Cessna TR182 obtained a weather brief from Great Falls FSS during which he was advised of winds at his intermediate fuel stop, Twin Falls, Idaho, from 170 degrees at 16 knots. The pilot contacted Twin Falls tower 13 nautical miles north for landing and was advised that the winds were from 150 degrees magnetic at 20 knots favoring runway 12. Just under 4 minutes later the pilot contacted Twin Falls tower reporting 3 miles out and the controller cleared the aircraft to land on runway 12. The controller provided no wind information nor did the pilot request any wind information. The Airport Facility Directory in effect indicated the airport had an Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) which was keyed to 135.025 megahertz. Tuning this frequency would enable the pilot to receive continuous meteorological information including wind conditions. However, it was not known whether the pilot utilized this capability. The tower controller reported during the aircraft's approach that it drifted left, and the pilot attempted a go around. A fueler also observed the aircraft in a continuous right wing low attitude as it drifted further left until impacting a parked fuel truck positioned 156 feet outside the runway safety area and 231 feet left of the runway centerline. The fuel truck was one of 4 parked in a marshalling area. The ASOS recorded winds at the time of the accident from160 degrees magnetic at 22 knots gusting to 29 knots with a peak wind reported at the time near the accident of 180 degrees at 29 knots. Runway 12 magnetic centerline was measured at 120 degrees and the Cessna TR182 Wind Components Chart indicated a maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity of 18 knots but noted that this was not a limitation. No evidence of mechanical malfunction was noted during the on-site examination and the aircraft's gear were found extended with the flaps extended 5 degrees.

Verbatim NTSB analysis and probable cause from the NTSB dataset