Saturday, July 16, 2022

Hard Landing: Cessna 182Q Skylane, N978C; accident occurred April 09, 2022 at K Star Ranch Airport (49TE), Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas













Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

La Avioneta LLC


Location: Hebbronville, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA175
Date and Time: April 9, 2022, 11:30 Local 
Registration: N978C
Aircraft: Cessna 182Q 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing 
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that he flared too high resulting in a hard landing. The airplane bounced, drifted to the right, and went through a fence colliding with some trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing as well as the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilots improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and loss of airplane control.

Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Landing flare - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 67, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: May 1, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: June 26, 2020
Flight Time: 339 hours (Total, all aircraft), 37 hours (Total, this make and model), 166 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 2.6 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N978C
Model/Series: 182Q 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1979
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18267017
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 3, 2022 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2950 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 3096.1 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHBV,663 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 11:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 307°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility: 7 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots / 18 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 180° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hebbronville, TX (PVT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hebbronville, TX (PVT)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 10:15 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Stark Ranch PVT 
Runway Surface Type: Gravel
Airport Elevation: 430 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: -- 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2900 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 27.311389,-98.681111 (est)

1 comment:

  1. flying out of grass strips into and out our land was the common means of travel for ranchers and farmers. A survey conducted in 1948 estimated that 20,000 U.S. farmers and ranchers were flying. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/an-airplane-in-every-barn-20047970/

    ReplyDelete