# NTSB GAA19CA064: Cessna 182, N8903X, Charlotte, NC, November 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 16, 2018, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Charlotte, NC - Coordinates: 35.214443, -80.947219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2144&lon=-80.9472&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98656/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98656 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA064 ## 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. - [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 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 182D, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 182D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the preflight inspection, he did not observe any issues with the nosewheel tire. However, during touchdown at the destination airport, he felt something was wrong, so he pulled back on the controls. He added that the airplane "left the ground for a few seconds" and then landed hard the second time. He taxied to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airport’s automated weather observation station reported that, about 12 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 36R. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during preflight, he did not observe any issues with the nose wheel tire. However, during landing touchdown at the destination airport, he felt something was wrong, so he pulled back on the controls. The airplane "left the ground for a few seconds" and landed hard the second time. He taxied to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 12 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 220° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 36R. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8903X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8903X), registered now, S/N 18253303, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253303 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 3494.3 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 2018 - Departed: AVL, Asheville, NC - Destination: CLT, Charlotte, NC - Airport: CLT, Charlotte/Douglas Intl, runway 36R, 8,677 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 279.7 total, 279.7 in this make and model, 19.6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KCLT, 1 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 20181116017269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181116017269A), Nov 16, 2018: Cessna 182D, Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot statement: I left avl in my Cessna 182, (8903X), at around 3:00 p.m. on a VFR flight to clt. I received clearance to bravo airspace around 40 miles out… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98656. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470953&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470954&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.