# NTSB CEN10LA047: Cessna T182T, N652CP, Loveland, CO, November 1, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 2009, 18:45 local (Nov 1, 2009, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Loveland, CO
- Coordinates: 40.451946, -105.01139
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4519&lon=-105.0114&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75046/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75046
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA047

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during dusk light conditions, and his failure to execute a go-around.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor requested that the pilot demonstrate a "power-off 180-degree accuracy approach and landing to the 1000-foot mark" on runway 15 with no flaps. The pilot was low on the approach. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, they felt an impact and the airplane landed "hard." The airplane had struck a two-foot high snow bank that was between the threshold lights. The instructor said the upslope runway, inability to brighten the airspeed readout on the G1000 avionics system, and dusk light conditions contributed to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On October 31, 2009, approximately 1845 mountain standard time, a Cessna T182T, N652CP, registered to the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), was substantially damaged when it struck a snow berm during landing at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (FNL), Loveland, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and flight instructor on board the airplane were not injured. The local flight originated at FNL approximately 1705. The pilot said that at the conclusion of the CAP check flight, they returned to the airport for pattern work. The flight instructor requested that the pilot demonstrate a "power-off 180-degree accuracy approach and landing to the 1000-foot mark" on runway 15. The first attempt resulted in a go-around. On the second attempt, the airplane was "a little low but [we] were carrying 75 KIAS [knots indicated airspeed] (best glide speed) with no flaps." As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, they felt an impact and the airplane landed "hard." The ELT (emergency locator transmitter) activated but the airbags did not. They taxied to the ramp via taxiway A4. Post-flight inspection revealed a bent right main landing gear, wrinkled right fairing, torn skin on the right horizontal stabilizer and displaced elevator, and buckling of the fuselage skin aft of the left main landing gear. Examination of the runway revealed the blast pad chevrons were clear of snow but the runway threshold had a 2-foot high snowbank between the runway threshold lights. The instructor said the upslope runway, inability to brighten the airspeed readout on the G1000 avionics system, and dusk light conditions were factors in the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N652CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N652CP), registered now, S/N T18208652, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T182T
- Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ak1a) (registry code 42005, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18208652
- Airframe hours: 935
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A 238 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 2009, 24 hours before
- Departed: FNL, Loveland, CO
- Destination: FNL, Loveland, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FNL, Fort Collins-Loveland Municipa, runway 15, 8,500 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,550 total, 1,858 in this make and model, 2,440 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,898 total, 854 in this make and model, 1,876 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: FNL

## 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 20091031021379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091031021379A), Oct 31, 2009: Cessna T182T, Fort Collins/L, CO, Substantial damage. On October 31, 2009 at approximately 1845 mountain daylight time, a single engine Cessna 182, N652CP was substantially damaged when it impacted a snow bank and…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75046. 2.9 MB in all.

- NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 527 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1. N652CP. (item 3, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20N652CP.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2. Damage to right horizontal stabilizer. (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Damage%20to%20right%20horizontal%20stabilizer.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3. Damage to left horizontal stabilizer. (item 5, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Damage%20to%20left%20horizontal%20stabilizer.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4. Buckling aft of left main landing gear. (item 6, .PDF, 813 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Buckling%20aft%20of%20left%20main%20landing%20gear.-Master.PDF
- Photo 5. Buckling aft of right main landing gear. (item 7, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20Buckling%20aft%20of%20right%20main%20landing%20gear.-Master.PDF
- Photo 6. Damaged right main landing gear strut. (item 8, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20Damaged%20right%20main%20landing%20gear%20strut.-Master.PDF

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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