# NTSB LAX01LA080: Cessna 182RG, N5487T, Douglas, AZ, January 23, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 2001, 12:58 local (19:58 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.374166, -109.693885
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3742&lon=-109.6939&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FLT STANDARDS DIST OFC
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA080

## Probable cause

The student's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the go-around and his premature retraction of the landing gear.  A factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - gear retraction - premature, dual student (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - stall - encountered, dual student
  - go-around - improper, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

While conducting a series of touch-and-go maneuvers the airplane ballooned on a landing.  The instructor directed the student to initiate a go-around when the stall warning was heard.  The instructor reported that control of the airplane was to be relinquished to him but the control yoke was not released by the student.  The gear lever position could not be seen by the instructor.  The instructor also stated after the accident that the landing gear appeared to have been retracted at the start of the go-around procedure.

## Factual narrative

On January 23, 2001, at 1258 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182RG, N5487T, collided with the ground during a go-around at Douglas, Arizona.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The certificated flight instructor received minor injuries; his dual student was not injured.  The airplane was being operated as a training flight by Cochise College under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The local flight originated at 1220.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed.

According to the operator, just before touchdown for a touch-and-go landing, the student pilot began the landing flare and the airplane ballooned.  The instructor directed that the student go around and called for full power.  This was followed by the stall warning horn.  The instructor pushed forward on the yoke while stating he had control of the airplane.  The controls felt heavy and the instructor noted that the student was still on the flight controls pulling the yoke aft.  The instructor was unable to see the position of the landing gear.  A right roll and yaw was countered with the flight controls and the flaps were extended to 20 degrees, followed by a left roll and yaw.  The airplane stopped settling and was rolled level.  It rolled right again and the right wing struck the ground followed by the propeller.  It landed on its belly and slid to a stop.  After the airplane came to a rest the landing gear was found in the retracted position.  The operator stated that it appeared the student raised the landing gear at the start of the go-around, contrary to school policy.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5487T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18201878
- Airframe hours: 4432
- Engines: Textron Lycoming L-21760-40a 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cochise College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2000, 78 hours before
- Departed: P03, Douglas, AZ
- Destination: P03, Douglas, AZ
- Airport: P03, Douglas Cochise College, runway 05, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 26, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 2,190 total, 765 in this make and model, 2,075 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 8, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 149 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KDUG

## 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 20010123025459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010123025459A), Jan 23, 2001: Cessna R182, Douglas, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor and student performed a go-around. Student retracted gear early, aircraft stalled and settled to runway. (.4) on January 23, 2001, at 1258…

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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