# NTSB GAA17CA485: Cessna 182, N52450, Sparta, MI, August 12, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 12, 2017, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.128334, -85.676666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1283&lon=-85.6767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA485
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95815/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95815
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA485

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in 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 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [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 182P, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2075816), [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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and bounced. He added that he performed a go-around, landed, and taxied to the ramp uneventfully. During a walkaround before another flight that day, he noticed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during his previous flight. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and bounced. He added that he performed a go-around, landed, and taxied to the ramp uneventfully. During a walkaround before another flight that day, he noticed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during his previous flight. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52450](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52450), registered now, S/N 18262617, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (P)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262617
- Year built: 1973
- Airframe hours: 3831
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 2017
- Departed: 8D4, Sparta, MI
- Destination: 8D4, Sparta, MI
- Airport: 8D4, Paul C Miller-Sparta, runway 25, 4,032 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 4, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 318 total, 140 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KGRR, 16 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 20170812012489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170812012489A), Aug 12, 2017: Cessna 182P, Sparta, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying eaa young eagles introductory flights. Pilot reported he was landing on runway 25, main wheels bounced and performed a go around. Pilot did a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95815. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466660&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.

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