# NTSB ERA14CA023: Cessna 182Q, N725AS, Wauchula, FL, October 27, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2013, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Wauchula, FL
- Coordinates: 27.514722, -81.880279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5147&lon=-81.8803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88317/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88317
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA023

## Probable cause

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

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [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 182Q, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, after completing three takeoffs and landings at his destination airport he performed a simulated engine failure. Upon entered the landing phase of the flight he was excessively high above the runway surface. "Fixated" on completing the landing, the pilot flared the airplane too high which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose gear, damage to the propeller, and damage to the aircraft structure. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated he could have prevented the accident by performing a go around.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, after completing three takeoffs and landings at his destination airport he performed a simulated engine failure. Upon entered the landing phase of the flight he was excessively high above the runway surface. "Fixated" on completing the landing, the pilot flared the airplane too high which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose gear, damage to the propeller, and damage to the aircraft structure. A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated he could have prevented the accident by performing a go around.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N725AS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N725AS), registered now, S/N 18266640, built 1978 (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: 18266640
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 2522
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: 725as Leasing LLC
- Registered owner: 725as Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2013
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL
- Destination: CHN, Wauchula, FL
- Airport: CHN, Wauchula Muni, runway 36, 4,005 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,610 total, 168.6 in this make and model, 1,377.8 as pilot in command, 3.7 in the last 90 days, 1.5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 28 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 20131027020219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131027020219A), Oct 27, 2013: Cessna 182Q, Wachula, FL, Substantial damage. After a simulated engine out approach and landing, during the roundout and flare, aircraft balloon about ten feet off the runway, stalled and impacted the…

## Other investigations on N725AS (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 ERA23FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA219), May 7, 2023: Cessna 182 (N725AS), Reliance, TN, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to continue an instrument flight into an area of forecast weather with severe to extreme turbulence associated with a line of thunderstorms, which resulted in an in-flight…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88317. 4.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record, FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404625&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photograph #1: View of Airplane in Hangar (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Hangar%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #2: View of Airplane Engine Firewall (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Engine%20Firewall%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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