Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182 near Rockford, IL — 2018-03-12

Final reportGAA18CA157
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Date
2018-03-12
Location
Rockford, IL, USA
Airport
RFD
Aircraft
CESSNA 182
Registration
N96772
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s unnecessary action during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during landing, about 20 ft above ground level and about 80 kts, he reached for his iPad. He took his eyes off the runway to grab the device that was located on the seat next to him, and the airplane collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude. The pilot reported that he should not have taken his eyes off the runway during landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage stringers, longerons, and formers. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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