Pilot Debrief

CESSNA R182 near Fitchburg, MA — 2026-05-26

Final reportERA26LA228
Sign in to save
Date
2026-05-26
Location
Fitchburg, MA, USA
Airport
FIT
Aircraft
CESSNA R182
Registration
N6287T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot had completed two previous landings uneventfully and was attempting to land for a third time. Review of airport surveillance video showed that the airplane approached the runway with a significant unarrested rate of descent while in a slightly nose high pitch attitude. The descent continued until the airplane contacted the runway hard, after which the nose landing gear immediately collapsed and the airplane came to stop on the runway. The underside of the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged during the landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps