# NTSB LAX91LA007: Cessna 182M, N70892, Bakersfield, CA, October 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1990, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.380542, -119.020645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3805&lon=-119.0206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INTENDED TO REMAIN IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN IN ORDER TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS AND FULL STOP LANDINGS AT THE AIRPORT. ON THE FIRST LANDING THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE- HE BEGAN THE FLARE AT ABOUT 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED. THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING AND THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO PORPOISE SERVERAL TIMES UNTIL COMING TO A STOP. THE PILOT ACCRUED ONLY 2.9 FLIGHT HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE AND THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR. THE PILOT RECEIVED 2.6 HOURS OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION ABOUT 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND HAD NOT FLOWN ANY AIRPLANE SINCE RECEIVING THE INSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N70892](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70892), registered now, S/N 18259410, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182M
- Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259410
- Airframe hours: 1875
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1989, 12 hours before
- Airport: L45, Bakersfield, runway 31, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 3 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Observed at: BFL

## 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 19901007044459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901007044459A), Oct 7, 1990: Cessna 182M, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Flared too high on landing. Dropped to runway damaging nose gear prop and firewall.

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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