# NTSB LAX08LA284: Cessna TR182, N5523T, Spotted Bear, MT, August 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2008, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Spotted Bear, MT - Coordinates: 47.958332, -113.559448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9583&lon=-113.5594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68825/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68825 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA284 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable wind conditions and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/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 TR182, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot flew over the destination airport and observed the runway's windsock before initiating a normal approach for landing. On short final approach the airplane's rate of descent rapidly increased. Despite the pilot's application of engine power, the airplane impacted the runway hard in a nose-low attitude. The pilot reported that he subsequently observed that the wind had reversed direction. He opined that the airplane's loss of lift was related to his failure to adequately compensate for the variable wind condition. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2008, about 1200 mountain daylight time, a Cessna TR182, N5523T, made a hard landing at Spotted Bear (USFS) Airport, Spotted Bear, Montana. The airplane was substantially damaged, and neither the commercial certificated pilot nor two passengers were injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Minuteman Aviation, Inc., Missoula, Montana. The accident occurred during an on-demand air taxi flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Missoula about 1120. The pilot indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that all airplane systems were functioning normally throughout the flight. The pilot stated that he observed the airport's windsock when he flew over the uncontrolled airport and during the approach, but he did not observe it seconds prior to touchdown. The pilot additionally reported that on final approach the airplane's rate of descent was initially normal, but when the airplane was on short final approach its rate of descent rapidly increased. The pilot stated that "about 15 feet above the ground the aircraft seemed to lose all lift." Despite application of engine power, the airplane impacted the runway in a nose low attitude, and the airplane's nose gear collapsed. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted that the wind direction was variable and appeared to change direction by nearly 180 degrees. Its speed varied between 5 and 10 knots. The pilot reported that "this accident could have been prevented by adjusting the [airplane's] approach speed" for a possible wind shift. The accident site and airplane were subsequently examined. The airplane's nose gear strut and wheel assembly were located near the initial point of impact ground scar on the runway. The lower portion of the airplane's firewall was found bent, and belly longerons and skin panels were found distorted from aft of the nose gear wheel well to beneath the baggage compartment door. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5523T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5523T), registered now, S/N R18201884, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201884 - Airframe hours: 6033 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-L3C5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Minuteman Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Minuteman Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2008 - Departed: MSO, Missoula, MT - Destination: 8U4, Spotted Bear, MT - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 8U4, Spotted Bear (USFS), runway 32, 3,899 × 78 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 40 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg ## 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 20080828844179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080828844179A), Aug 28, 2008: Cessna TR182, Spotted Bear, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 28, 2008, a Cessna TR-182, N5523T, registered to minuteman aviation, inc as an on demand charter flight, made a hard landing at Spotted Bear… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68825. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.