# NTSB GAA15CA106: Cessna 182Q, N759ZK, Palm Springs, CA, June 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2015, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.828887, -116.506942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8289&lon=-116.5069&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Riverside FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91307/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91307 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA106 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the firewall. ## 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 182Q, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing flare a gust of wind rotated the nose to the left and he responded by correcting with right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane touched down hard, bounced 3 to 4 times, and the propeller struck the runway. The pilot was able to maintain directional control and taxied to the ramp without further incident. During a post-flight inspection, substantial damage was found on the firewall. The reported winds at the airport about the time of the accident were from 340 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots, and the runway heading was 310 degrees. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare a gust of wind rotated the nose to the left and he responded by correcting with right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane touched down hard, bounced 3 to 4 times, and the propeller struck the runway. The pilot was able to maintain directional control and taxied to the ramp without further incident. During a post-flight inspection, substantial damage was found on the firewall. The reported winds at the airport about the time of the accident were from 340 degrees true at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots, and the runway heading was 310 degrees. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N759ZK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759ZK), registered now, S/N 18266387, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q (Q) - 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: 18266387 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3510 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2015, 112 hours before - Departed: RYN, TUCSON, AZ - Destination: PSP, Palm Springs, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PSP, Palm Springs Intl, runway 31L, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 490 total, 391 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KPSP ## 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 20150603021179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150603021179A), Jun 3, 2015: Cessna 182Q, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. While landing at psp with a 30 degree left crosswind of 14 gusting to 28 knots the aircraft contacted the runway with sufficient force to damage the nose gear,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91307. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428897&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)%20-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Right Side Fuselage (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Side%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)%0D%0A-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.