# NTSB GAA18CA396: Cessna 182, N411BP, San Luis Obispo, CA, July 8, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2018, 11:26 local (18:26 UTC) - Place: San Luis Obispo, CA - Coordinates: 35.23722, -120.642501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2372&lon=-120.6425&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 March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 97710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA396 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97710/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97710 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA396 ## 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 182Q, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072732), [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 182Q, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072732), [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-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182Q, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072732), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he made a straight-in approach about 80 knots and full flaps on final. He initiated the landing flare and "felt a slight sink in lift," which resulted in a hard landing. He reported that the airplane bounced four times with each bounce increasing in height and magnitude. Subsequently, he taxied the airplane to the nearest intersection but was unable to continue because the airplane was "taxiing rough", and he believed that the nose landing gear tire was damaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right fuselage stringers. Additionally, the pilot asserted that proper trim application could have helped to prevent this accident and that he should have aborted the landing after the first hard bounce. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he made a straight in approach about 80 knots and full flaps on final. He initiated the landing flare and "felt a slight sink in lift" that resulted in a hard landing. He reported that the airplane bounced four times with each bounce increasing in height and magnitude. Subsequently, he taxied the airplane to the nearest intersection but was unable to continue, because the airplane was "taxiing rough" and he believed that the nose landing gear tire was damaged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right-side fuselage stringers. Additionally, the pilot asserted that he underestimated the airplane's weight, and that a proper trim application could have helped to prevent this accident. He further emphasized that he should have aborted the landing after the first hard bounce. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N411BP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N411BP), registered now, S/N 18266177, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (Q) - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18266177 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5663.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Above All Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Above All Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 3, 2018 - Departed: SBA, Santa Barbara, CA - Destination: SBP, San Luis Obispo, CA - Airport: SBP, San Luis County Rgnl, runway 29, 6,101 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review October 7, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 84.6 total, 5 in this make and model, 40.2 as pilot in command, 7.8 in the last 90 days, 1.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KSBP ## 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 20180708009359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180708009359A), Jul 8, 2018: Cessna 182Q, San Luis Obispo, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft porpoised upon landing and experienced a hard landing. Flat tire and other damage visible on the aircraft. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97710. 4.0 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=40469264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469265&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.