# NTSB GAA16CA081: Cessna 182, N2000R, Salisbury, NC, November 28, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2015, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Salisbury, NC - Coordinates: 35.645832, -80.520278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6458&lon=-80.5203&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 April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92455/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92455 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, causing the airplane to balloon and land hard. ## 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 182G, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 9,308 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 182G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 1,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Pressures/demands: time/schedule pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010/cases.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042010/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 251 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072716), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tricycle landing gear equipped airplane, he was performing skydiving operations. He reported that he felt rushed in performing his assigned duties because, "the skydiving school kept wanting me to return quicker for the next load." The pilot recalled that after dropping the sky divers, he made his approach to land; the airplane ballooned during the flare, and landed hard on all three landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tricycle landing gear equipped airplane, he was performing skydiving operations. He reported that he felt rushed in performing his assigned duties because, "the skydiving school kept wanting me to return quicker for the next load." The pilot recalled that after dropping the sky divers, he made his approach to land; the airplane ballooned during the flare, and landed hard on all three landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2000R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2000R-2018-06-18), registration cancelled 2018-06-18, S/N 18255200, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255200 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 6934 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Piedmont Skydiving Center LLC - Registered owner: Piedmont Skydiving Center LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 6, 2015 - Departed: RUQ, Salisbury, NC - Destination: RUQ, Salisbury, NC - Airport: RUQ, Rowan County, runway 20, 5,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 406 total, 11 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KRUQ ## 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 20151128021139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151128021139A), Nov 28, 2015: Cessna 182G, Salisbury, NC, Substantial damage. On 11/28/2015 at approximately 1300 EST, Cessna CE-182-G, N2000R, registered to jetl aviation LLC, was damaged when the aircraft experienced a hard landing on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92455. 2.1 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=40437636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.