# NTSB GAA17CA315: Cessna T182, N6259T, San Carlos, CA, June 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 2, 2017, 18:15 local (Jun 3, 2017, 01:15 UTC) - Place: San Carlos, CA - Coordinates: 37.511943, -122.249443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5119&lon=-122.2494&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95286 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA315 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95286/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95286 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA315 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced 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 T182T, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072738), [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 T182T, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072738), [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 T182T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072738), [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 T182T, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, the "pilot side wheel briefly touched down" and then "a wind gust pushed the plane down," which resulted in the nose gear impacting the runway hard. He added that he subsequently heard "a snapping popping bang under my feet" and that the airplane bounced. He further added that, when the airplane settled back to the runway, it skidded to the right off the runway. 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. An automated weather observation station at the airport recorded that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 13 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, the "pilot side wheel briefly touched down" and then "a wind gust pushed the plane down," which resulted in the nose gear impacting the runway hard. He added that he subsequently heard "a snapping popping bang under my feet" and the airplane bounced back into the air. He further added that, when the airplane settled back to the runway, it skidded to the right off the runway. 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. An automated weather observation station, at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 280° at 13 knots. The pilot reported that the landing was on runway 30. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6259T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6259T), registered now, S/N T18208853, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T182 (T) - Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ak1a) (registry code 42005, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18208853 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 1051.7 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Rhys Vineyards LLC. - Registered owner: Rhys Vineyards LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 2016 - Departed: HES, HEALDSBURG, CA - Destination: SQL, San Carlos, CA - Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,622 total, 1,007 in this make and model, 1,311 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KSQL ## 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 20170602007929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170602007929A), Jun 2, 2017: Cessna T182T, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. On June 2, 2017, N6259T, Cessna 182T, s/n T18208853, was landing runway 30 at San Carlos Airport (sql). In a statement, he touched down on the left main and a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95286. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454384&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.