Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182K near Chemehuevi Valley, CA — 2009-09-11

Final reportWPR09LA445
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Date
2009-09-11
Location
Chemehuevi Valley, CA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 182K
Registration
N2819R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare while landing with a tailwind, resulting in a bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he conducted an approach to landing over the lake, landing to the west, and that as he reduced power to flare the airplane was caught in a downdraft. The airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced down the runway. On the third oscillation the nose landing gear sheared off before the airplane slid off of the runway and came to rest inverted. The nearest weather reporting system, located about 17 miles to the northwest of the airport, reported wind from 040 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot also reported landing with a slight tailwind.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to tailwind and downdraft conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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