# NTSB GAA15CA170: Cessna T182T, N2080Q, Oak Island, NC, July 2, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 2, 2015, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Oak Island, NC
- Coordinates: 33.933055, -78.071388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9331&lon=-78.0714&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Greensboro FSDO (FAA)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91526/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91526
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA170

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper level off and flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and firewall damage.

## 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 T182T, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072738), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he "let the nose fall through" in the landing flare and the airplane bounced once on the nose gear. During the second bounce, the propeller struck the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he "let the nose fall through" in the landing flare and the airplane bounced once on the nose gear. During the second bounce, the propeller struck the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2080Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2080Q), registered now, S/N T18208450, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T182T (T)
- Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T18208450
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 1978.1
- Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Adventures
- Registered owner: Hyperion Enterprises LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2014
- Departed: HEF, WASHINGTON, VA
- Destination: SUT, Oak Island, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SUT, Cape Fear Rgnl Jetport/Howie F, runway 23, 5,505 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 516 total, 10 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KSUT

## 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 20150702010329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150702010329A), Jul 2, 2015: Cessna T182T, Oak Island, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting to land on runway 23 at the Oak Island (ksut) airport. The winds were predominately aligned with the runway but gusting up to 17…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91526. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 – Airplane Firewall (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20Firewall%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%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.

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