# NTSB FTW98LA373: Cessna 182L, N42631, St. George, UT, August 16, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1998, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: St. George, UT - Coordinates: 37.180553, -113.599632 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1806&lon=-113.5996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA373 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA373 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors were excessive airspeed and allowing the airplane to porpoise with subsequent loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot 'crabbed' into the wind as he approached runway 16 (6,101 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) for landing. He removed the crab angle with opposite rudder just before touching down. The airplane touched down 'softly,' then lifted off. The pilot pushed the control yoke forward and the airplane settled back to the runway. When he flared the second time, the airplane landed 'firmly.' The nose 'came up fast,' causing the stall warning horn to sound. The airplane touched down again 'very hard.' The airplane was 'bucking or bouncing' and veered off the left side of the runway, collapsing the nose landing gear. The pilot theorized that 'a gust of wind caused the nose to come up fast, then slammed down hard causing nose gear to collapse,' although he made no mention of wind gusts in the weather section of his report. He also theorized that the second touch down was 'too heavy on the nose gear,' causing the shock absorber to compress and allow the propeller to strike the ground. A witness said the airplane's approach speed appeared to be 'hot,' and the airplane bounced three times. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1998, approximately 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182L, N42631, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at St. George Municipal Airport, St. George, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at La Verne, California, approximately 1230 Pacific daylight time. The pilot said he "crabbed" into the wind as he approached runway 16 (6,101 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) for landing. He removed the crab angle with opposite rudder just before touching down. The airplane touched down "softly," then lifted off. The pilot pushed the control yoke forward and the airplane settled back to the runway. When he flared the second time, the airplane landed "firmly." The pilot said the nose "came up fast," causing the stall warning horn to sound. The airplane touched down again "very hard." The airplane was "bucking or bouncing" and veered off the left side of the runway, collapsing the nose landing gear. The pilot theorized that "a gust of wind caused the nose to come up fast, then slammed down hard causing nose gear to collapse." He made no mention of wind gusts in the weather section of his report. The pilot also theorized that the second touch down was "too heavy on the nose gear," causing the shock absorber to compress and allow the propeller to strike the ground. A witness said the airplane's approach speed appeared to be "hot," and the airplane bounced three times. Postaccident inspection by FBO maintenance personnel, and confirmed by an insurance adjuster, disclosed the nose landing gear had punctured a hole in the firewall. The bottom of the fuselage was also buckled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42631](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42631), registered now, S/N 18259115, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182L - Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18259115 - Airframe hours: 4551 - Engines: Continental O-470-S reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Deloy Tolman - Registered owner: Tin Star Flying Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1997 - Departed: POC, LA VERNE, CA - Destination: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT - Airport: SGU, St. George Municipal, runway 16, 6,101 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 20 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F ## 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 19980816029749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980816029749A), Aug 16, 1998: Cessna 182L, Saint George, UT, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot 'crabbed' into the wind as he approached runway 16 (6,101 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) for landing. He removed the crab angle with opposite rudder… 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.