# NTSB FTW85LA301: Cessna 182M, N71846, Tulia, TX, July 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1985, 21:15 local (Jul 4, 1985, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Tulia, TX
- Coordinates: 34.530048, -101.770126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5300&lon=-101.7701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA301

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT, WITH 2 HRS TOTAL NIGHT EXPERIENCE, FLARED HIGH ON FINAL AND STALLED THE ACFT, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD ON THE NOSE GEAR, DURING A NIGHT PRACTICE FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE RED INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN HE TURNED THEM ON. INSTEAD HE USED THE WHITE DOME LIGHT, WHICH CREATED A GLARE IN THE COCKPIT AFFECTING HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION. THE PLT FAILED TO TURN THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT RHEOSTAT FAR ENOUGH FOR ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN THEY WERE CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71846](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71846), registered now, S/N 18259776, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182M
- Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259776
- Airframe hours: 1360
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul A. Caraway
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1984
- Airport: Q06, Swisher County, runway 18, 4,900 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850703035449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850703035449A), Jul 3, 1985: Cessna 182M, Tulia, TX, Substantial damage. Student flared early at night and stalled aircraft. Nose gear collapsed. Unable to turn on instrument panel lights.

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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