# NTSB GAA18CA277: Cessna 162, N263VX, Waterloo, IN, May 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2018, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Waterloo, IN - Coordinates: 41.431388, -84.981109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4314&lon=-84.9811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97245 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97245/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97245 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA277 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare during a soft-field landing and his use of an improper soft-field landing procedure, which resulted in a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 162, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/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 162, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 162, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=060005E), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on a soft, grass runway, the airplane bounced. He added that, as the airplane settled back to the runway, the nosewheel "hit a soft spot" in the turf, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3A, contained a section titled, "Soft Field Approach and Landing," which stated: Touchdown on a soft or rough field should be made at the lowest possible airspeed with the airplane in a nose-high pitch attitude. In nose-wheel type airplanes, after the main wheels touch the surface, the pilot should hold sufficient back-elevator pressure to keep the nose wheel off the surface. Using back-elevator pressure and engine power, the pilot can control the rate at which the weight of the airplane is transferred from the wings to the wheels. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing on a soft grass runway, the airplane bounced during touchdown. He added that, as the airplane settled back to the runway, the nose wheel "hit a soft spot" in the turf, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3A, contains a section titled "Soft Field Approach and Landing" which states: Touchdown on a soft or rough field should be made at the lowest possible airspeed with the airplane in a nose-high pitch attitude. In nose-wheel type airplanes, after the main wheels touch the surface, the pilot should hold sufficient back-elevator pressure to keep the nose wheel off the surface. Using back-elevator pressure and engine power, the pilot can control the rate at which the weight of the airplane is transferred from the wings to the wheels. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N263VX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N263VX), registered now, S/N 16200031, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162 - Registry model: [Cessna 162](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-162) (registry code 060005E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16200031 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 316.9 - Engines: Continental O-200 D1B 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2017 - Departed: 7I2, MUNCIE, IN - Destination: 4C2, Waterloo, IN - Airport: 4C2, Walker/Rowe Waterloo, runway 09, 2,340 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 233 total, 34 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGWB, 9 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 20180505004729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180505004729A), May 5, 2018: Cessna Aircraft Co 162, Waterloo, IN, Substantial damage. During landing at Waterloo, Indiana airport (4C2) civil aircraft N263VX, a Cessna 162, experienced a nose gear collapse and propeller strike. The aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97245. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.