# NTSB GAA17CA243: Cessna 182, N3308U, Killeen, TX, April 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2017, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Killeen, TX - Coordinates: 31.085832, -97.686386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0858&lon=-97.6864&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect landing flare in gusting wind conditions. ## 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 182F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072714), [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 182F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 1,199 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 182F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions, the airplane "experienced an unexpected nose down pitch with an immediate impact of the front tire on the runway." He added that the airplane porpoised during the rollout but that he was able to keep the airplane on the runway and taxi to the ramp without further incident. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions, the airplane "experienced an unexpected nose down pitch with an immediate impact of the front tire on the runway." He added that the airplane porpoised during the rollout, but he was able to keep the airplane on the runway and taxi to the ramp without further incident. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3308U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3308U-2018-12-10), registration cancelled 2018-12-10, S/N 18254708, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254708 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3558.2 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2016 - Departed: TPL, TEMPLE, TX - Destination: ILE, Killeen, TX - Airport: ILE, Skylark Field, runway 19, 5,495 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 288 total, 115 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 15 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KILE ## 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 20170421003939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170421003939A), Apr 21, 2017: Cessna 182F, Killeen, TX, Substantial damage. During landing skylark field Killeen Texas the pilot flared high in gusty wind stalled and had a resultant hard landing with the nose wheel first. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95056. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 892 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453088&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453089&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.