# NTSB GAA15CA094: Cessna 182E, N25AW, Galion, OH, May 25, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 25, 2015, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Galion, OH
- Coordinates: 40.752777, -82.724441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7528&lon=-82.7244&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91255/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91255
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA094

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach, which resulted in an in-flight loss of control and 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 182E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the final approach, the pilot reported encountering turbulence and wind gusts. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, the indicated airspeed reduced to 65 miles per hour, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane stalled. The pilot pushed the nose forward to regain control, but the airplane impacted the runway hard causing substantial damage to the firewall. After the landing, the pilot was able to taxi to the ramp without further incident. The reported winds at a nearby airport about the time of the accident were from 200 degrees true at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

During the final approach, the pilot reported encountering turbulence and wind gusts. As the airplane crossed the runway threshold, the indicated airspeed reduced to 65 miles per hour, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane stalled. The pilot pushed the nose forward to regain control, but the airplane impacted the runway hard causing substantial damage to the firewall. After the landing, the pilot was able to taxi to the ramp without further incident. The reported winds at a nearby airport about the time of the accident were from 200 degrees true at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25AW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25AW), registered now, S/N 18253616, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E (E)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253616
- Year built: 1961
- Airframe hours: 4350.9
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 2015
- Departed: OSU, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: GQQ, Galion, OH
- Airport: GQQ, Galion Muni, runway 23, 3,504 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 205 total, 85 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Turbulence: Moderate
- Observed at: KMFD, 10 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 20150525011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150525011569A), May 25, 2015: Cessna 182E, Galion, OH, Substantial damage. Shortly before touch down the wind speed dropped off causing the airplane to land hard on the nose gear damaging the nose gear and fire wall.

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91255. 7.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Underside of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Underside%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Airplane Firewall (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%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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