# NTSB GAA16CA250: Cessna 182, N42553, Calhan, CO, May 21, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 21, 2016, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Calhan, CO
- Coordinates: 39.045555, -104.293052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0456&lon=-104.2931&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 25, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93222/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93222
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA250

## Probable cause

The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 182L, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 182L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 182L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 182L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 1,130 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 182L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072726), [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 182L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072726), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on a dirt airstrip, he encountered crosswind gusts during the landing flare. The pilot further reported that the flare was too high and during touchdown the airplane began to porpoise. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a touch-and-go landing on a dirt airstrip, he encountered crosswind gusts during the landing flare. The pilot further reported that the flare was too high and during touchdown the airplane began to porpoise. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42553-2016-12-12), registration cancelled 2016-12-12, S/N 18259074, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (L)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259074
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 4885
- Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2015
- Departed: FLY, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
- Destination: FLY, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
- Airport: 5V4, Calhan, runway 35, 4,565 × 50 ft, dirt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review January 4, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,447 total, 1,447 in this make and model, 1,447 as pilot in command, 12.6 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KFLY, 14 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 20160521004769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160521004769A), May 21, 2016: Cessna 182L, Calhan, CO, Substantial damage. On 05/21/2016 at approximately 1015 mountain daylight savings time, the pilot of N42553 a Cessna 182L departed kfly (meadow lake, CO) en-route to 5V4 (Calhan,…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93222. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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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