# NTSB ATL99LA018: Cessna 182Q, N759LH, Hickory, NC, November 15, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1998, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: Hickory, NC
- Coordinates: 35.769943, -81.329811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7699&lon=-81.3298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45318/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA018

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly recover from a bounced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was cleared by the tower to land on runway 24. The pilot reported that, 'While on approach, at the end of the runway, a downdraft was experienced.' The airplane touchdown first approximately 100 feet down the runway, became airborne, and then came down on the nose gear. After getting the aircraft under control, the pilot taxied back to the ramp and observed the damage.

## Factual narrative

On November 15, 1998, about 1555 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 182Q, N759LH, landed hard on runway 24 at the Hickory Airport, Hickory, North Carolina. The airplane was rented by the pilot from Profile Aviation Center, Inc., for a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Hickory, North Carolina at 1440.

According to the pilot, he was cleared by the tower to land on runway 24. The pilot reported that, "While on approach, at the end of the runway, a downdraft was experienced." The airplane touchdown first approximately 100 feet down the runway, became airborne, and then came down on the nose gear. After getting the aircraft under control, the pilot taxied back to the ramp where he observed the airframe damage. The nose gear, the firewall and the cockpit floor were damaged. No mechanical problems with the airplane, were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759LH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759LH), registered now, S/N 18266075, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-66075
- Airframe hours: 2955
- Engines: Continental O-470-U17 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Profile Aviation Center, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1998, 9 hours before
- Departed: HKY
- Airport: HKY, Hickory, runway 24, 6,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 178 total, 17 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY

## Other investigations on N759LH (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA95LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA091), Mar 21, 1995: Cessna 182Q (N759LH), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's improper landing touchdown and improper recovery from a bounced landing.

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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