# NTSB ATL89LA043: Cessna 182, N5473B, Thomaston, GA, November 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1988, 20:30 local (Nov 22, 1988, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Thomaston, GA
- Coordinates: 32.889915, -84.319786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8899&lon=-84.3198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA043

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - landing light(s) - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE ON A NIGHT FLIGHT IN AN AIRCRAFT THAT WAS EQUIPPED TO CARRY SKYDIVERS. DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND, THE LANDING LIGHT FAILED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET THE LIGHT TO OPERATE, THE PILOT ALLOWED AN UNDERSHOOT TO DEVELOP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE NOSE GEAR FAILED WHEN THE NOSE- WHEEL STRUCK THE RUNWAY LIP. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLID APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AND NOSED OVER. MIRL & THRESHOLD LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED, BUT THERE WERE NO VASI LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5473B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5473B), registered now, S/N 33473, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33473
- Airframe hours: 4247
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul J. Mattei
- Registered owner: Paul J Mattei Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1988
- Airport: RGD, Reginald Grant Memorial, runway 3, 3,049 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 898 total, 217 in this make and model, 864 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 21,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19881121052689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881121052689A), Nov 21, 1988: Cessna 182, Thomaston, GA, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway on night landing. Collapsed nose gear on runway lip. Was preoccupied by failed landing light

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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