# NTSB BFO95LA034: Cessna 182K, N2439Q, Gretna, VA, March 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1995, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Gretna, VA
- Coordinates: 36.950325, -79.360511 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9503&lon=-79.3605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA034

## Probable cause

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

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING SLOW FLIGHT OVER A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP THE AIRPLANE LOST MORE ALTITUDE THAN HE EXPECTED. HE STATED THAT HE MADE A SERIES OF ERRORS SO HE DECIDED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE.  A HARD LANDING WAS MADE.  THE NOSE GEAR BROKE OFF AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On March 18, 1995, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182K, N2439Q, landed hard and nosed over at a private airstrip in Gretna, Virginia.  The pilot was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The personal flight departed Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and its final destination was Danville, Virginia.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that during slow flight over his private airstrip the airplane lost more altitude than he expected.  The pilot wrote, "...pulled back on plane and a series of pilot errors, or misjudgments caused me to decide to land and I nosed down more than I had expected - The front wheel hit hard and broke and nose gear dug in and flipped the plane."

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2439Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2439Q-2003-05-05), registration cancelled 2003-05-05, S/N 18257639, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182K
- Registry model: [Cessna 182K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182k) (registry code 2072724) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18257639
- Airframe hours: 2667
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roberts, Thomas R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1994, 11 hours before
- Departed: PTW, POTTSTOWN, PA
- Destination: DANVILLE, VA
- Airport: runway 5, 2,400 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 163 total, 97 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19950318004339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950318004339A), Mar 18, 1995: Cessna 182K, Gretna, VA, Substantial damage. Slow flying over strip too low. Used aft yoke without adding power then nosed down. Hit nose gear and flipped over.

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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