# NTSB CHI03LA114: Cessna 182T, N35291, Marengo, IL, April 25, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 2003, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Marengo, IL
- Coordinates: 42.435276, -88.984169
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4353&lon=-88.9842&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - DuPage FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA114

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare.  A factor contributing to the accident was the gusty crosswind.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it landed hard at a private grass airstrip.  The pilot reported he encountered strong downdrafts and windshear while landing.  The pilot stated he attempted to recover from the descent, but was unsuccessful.  The airplane impacted the runway and the main landing gear penetrated into the sod runway.  The landing gear then separated from the airplane and the airplane nosed over.  A weather station 21 miles to the west of the accident site reported winds from 030 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

## Factual narrative

On April 25, 2003, at 1210 central daylight time, a Cessna 182T, N35291, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over following a hard landing on a private grass airstrip (2,400 feet by 70 feet, turf) in Marengo, Illinois.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Burlington, Wisconsin, about 1130.

The pilot reported he encountered a "strong downdraft or windshear" about 15 - 20 feet above the runway while landing to the east.  The pilot stated he attempted to recover from the descent by adding power but was unsuccessful.  The pilot noted the airplane impacted the runway and the main landing gear penetrated into the sod.  The main landing gear then separated from the airplane and it nosed over.

The weather reporting station at the Greater Rockford Airport, 21 nautical miles to the west of the accident site reported at 1154, winds from 030 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35291](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35291), registered now, S/N 18280970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182T
- Registry model: [Cessna 182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182t) (registry code 2072703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18280970
- Airframe hours: 122
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 2002, 32 hours before
- Departed: BUU, Burlington, WI
- Destination: PVT, Marengo, IL
- Airport: PVT, Private, runway 09, 2,400 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 15, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 21 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 20030425012259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030425012259A), Apr 25, 2003: Cessna 182T, Marengo, IL, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was approaching to land at his Private strip in Marengo, Illinois. Winds were northeasterly at about 18 knots. Upon touchdown the aircrafts nose…

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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