# NTSB GAA17CA024: Cessna 182, N5446N, Leesburg, VA, October 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2016, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, VA - Coordinates: 39.07611, -77.556945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0761&lon=-77.5569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94220 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94220/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94220 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA024 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 182R, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072731), [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 182R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072731), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 182R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072731), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane exited the runway to the left, and upon contacting the grass nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane exited the runway to the left, and upon contacting the grass nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5446N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5446N-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 18267721, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (R) - Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18267721 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 5279 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TTA, SANFORD, NC - Destination: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Airport: JYO, Leesburg Executive, runway 17, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 241.1 total, 209.8 in this make and model, 161.5 as pilot in command, 28.1 in the last 90 days, 12.1 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KJYO ## 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 20161016024589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161016024589A), Oct 16, 2016: Cessna 182R, Leesburg, VA, Substantial damage. Description: pilot's approach was low on final. He then flew thru the glideslope. At this point he was above the glideslope and tried to capture it. The… ## Other investigations on N5446N (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI92LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA242), Aug 15, 1992: Cessna 182R (N5446N), Litchfield, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY AND HIS NOT ABORTING THE TAKEOFF WHEN THE WING CONTACTED THE CORN. A FACTOR WAS THE CORN ALONG SIDE THE RUNWAY. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94220. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446387&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=40446388&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. --- 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.