# NTSB CEN12LA635: Cessna 182P, N58844, Mecosta, MI, September 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 2012, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Mecosta, MI - Coordinates: 43.629165, -85.262496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6292&lon=-85.2625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA635 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85043/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85043 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA635 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the accident occurred as he was attempting to land on a grass runway in calm wind conditions. He stated that the airplane bounced upon touchdown and that he initially believed it would settle back onto the runway without further incident. However, the airplane landed hard and bounced for a second time. The airplane then impacted nose first on the runway centerline, about 3/4 of the way down the useable length of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid on the forward fuselage about 40 feet before it nosed over. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, he stated that he did not attempt an aborted landing because there were buildings located off the end of the runway, which he believed the airplane would not have been able to clear. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 2012, about 0815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna model 182P airplane, N58844, was substantially damaged while landing at Mecosta Morton Airport (27C), Mecosta, Michigan. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6), Greenville, Michigan, about 0800.The pilot reported that runway 21 had a displaced threshold of 460 feet, which resulted in an effective runway length of 1,550 feet. He stated that there was no appreciable wind during the landing attempt. He reported that the airplane bounced upon touchdown and that he initially believed it would settle back onto the runway without further incident. However, the airplane landed hard and bounced for a second time. The airplane then impacted nose first on the runway centerline, about 3/4 down the useable length of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid on the forward fuselage about 40 feet before it nosed over onto its back. The fuselage, firewall, empennage, and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, he stated that he did not attempt an aborted landing because there were buildings located off the end of the runway, which he believed the airplane would not have been able to clear. The closest weather observing station was located at the Roben-Hood Airport (RQB), about 12 miles northwest of the accident site. At 0815, the KRQB automated surface observing system reported: calm wind, visibility 10 miles; sky clear, temperature 5 degrees Celsius, dew point 4 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.34 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58844](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58844-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 18262336, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18262336 - Airframe hours: 4304 - Engines: Continental O-470-R25B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2012 - Departed: 6D6, Greenville, MI - Destination: 27C, Mecosta, MI - Airport: 27C, Mecosta Morton Airport, runway 21, 2,010 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 592 total, 180 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: RQB, 12 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 20120915019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120915019149A), Sep 15, 2012: Cessna 182P, Mecosta, MI, Substantial damage. On September 15, 2012 at 0811 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182 single engine aircraft, N58844, registered to [privacy data omitted] and operated by a… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85043. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 910 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (Pilot, Robert Allers) (item 2, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot,%20Robert%20Allers)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.