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; Alabama and NW Florida
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Tuskegee, Alabama
Accident Number: ERA22LA197
Date and Time: April 15, 2022, 14:30 UTC
Registration: N9388X
Aircraft: Cessna 182R
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that while landing and during the landing flare, a gust of wind caused the airplane to drift off centerline and the nose to rise. The airplane ballooned, then subsequently bounced hard before ballooning a second time. The nose dropped sharply, and the pilot was unable to control the airplane before it struck the runway hard on the nose landing gear, causing the landing gear to collapse and fold back, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine compartment, firewall and underside of the airframe. The pilot stated that there were no pre accident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind wind conditions which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose gear collapse.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Gusts - Response/compensation
Environmental issues Crosswind - Response/compensation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Abnormal runway contact
Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 38, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 1, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 11, 2022
Flight Time: 68.2 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7 hours (Total, this make and model), 68.2 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N9388X
Model/Series: 182R
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1985
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18268509
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 9, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 31.4 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4667.8 Hrs
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-470-U36B
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 230 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: AUO,776 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 53°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 13 knots / 20 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.21 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Alabaster, AL (EET)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Tuskegee, AL
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 13:50 UTC
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Moton Field Municipal Airport 06A
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 264 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 13/31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5005 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 32.460472,-85.680028
