# NTSB GAA17CA048: Cessna 182, N387CS, Palo Alto, CA, October 26, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2016, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Palo Alto, CA - Coordinates: 37.461112, -122.114997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4611&lon=-122.1150&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 January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94297/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94297 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to perform a go-around when he recognized that the airplane was high and fast during the final approach, which resulted in an improper landing flare and a hard landing. ## 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 182T, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072703), [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 182T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the final approach the airplane was "high and fast" and touched down hard. The pilot further reported that the airplane became airborne again and during the second touchdown the nose gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane slid to a stop coming to rest on the right edge of the runway. The fuselage and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the final approach the airplane was "high and fast" and touched down hard. The pilot further reported that the airplane became airborne again and during the second touchdown the nose gear collapsed. Subsequently, the airplane slid to a stop coming to rest on the right edge of the runway. The fuselage and firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N387CS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N387CS), registered now, S/N 18282287, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (T) - Registry model: [Cessna 182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182t) (registry code 2072703) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ab1a5) (registry code 41808, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18282287 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 1781.8 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steve M. Bauman - Registered owner: Sc Aero LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 2016 - Departed: HAF, HALF MOON BAY, CA - Destination: PAO, Palo Alto, CA - Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 31, 2,443 × 70 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 28, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 370 total, 224 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KPAO ## 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 20161026021499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161026021499A), Oct 26, 2016: Cessna 182T, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. On October 25, 2016 at Palo Alto airport at 11:45 PST, aircraft N387CS touched down at approximately the seventeen hundred foot mark of a twenty four hundred… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94297. 2.5 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=40447664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.