# NTSB GAA15CA041: Cessna 182R, N9490X, Fort Myers, FL, April 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2015, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Myers, FL - Coordinates: 26.585277, -81.85778 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5853&lon=-81.8578&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91025/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA041 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive descent rate during approach, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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 182R, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072731), [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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with full flaps, which he usually did not do, and believed that the full flaps created an excessive approach descent rate. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced several times, and was hard to taxi after exiting the runway. A post landing examination by the pilot revealed structural damage to the firewall and fuselage. The pilot reported that prior to the landing, there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with full flaps, which he usually doesn't do, and believed that the full flaps created an excessive approach descent rate. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced several times, and was hard to taxi after exiting the runway. A post landing examination by the pilot revealed structural damage to the firewall and fuselage. The pilot reported that prior to the landing, there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9490X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9490X), registered now, S/N 18268538, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R (R) - Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18268538 - Year built: 1985 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KVNC, Venice, FL - Destination: FMY, Fort Myers, FL - Airport: FMY, Page Field, runway 13, 4,900 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 602 total, 256 in this make and model, 602 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Observed at: KFMY ## 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 20150403004339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150403004339A), Apr 3, 2015: Cessna 182R, Ft. Meyers, FL, Substantial damage. During landing aircraft bounce several times causing a flat tire as reported by pilot. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91025. 956 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 934 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 Firewall Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Firewall%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%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. --- 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.