# NTSB LAX91LA278: Cessna 182Q, N759KM, Watsonville, CA, June 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1991, 17:30 local (Jun 25, 1991, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950561, -121.719085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9506&lon=-121.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA278

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GUSTY WINDS, THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 118-HOUR PILOT RECEIVED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, AND EN ROUTE, HE RECEIVED UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE DESTINATION WEATHER.  HE WAS AWARE THAT THE SURFACE WIND WAS FROM 260 DEGREES AT ABOUT 15 KNOTS.  DURING LANDING, THE PILOT FLARED HIGH AND ENCOUNTERED A GUST.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED HARD ON THE RUNWAY TWO TIMES, BENDING THE PROPELLER BLADE TIPS AND THE FIREWALL.  THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THE AIRPLANE AFTER RECEIVING A CHECKOUT IN THIS MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759KM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759KM), registered now, S/N 18266055, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- 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: 18266055
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: United Flight Service
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville, runway 26, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 118 total, 64 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19910624024339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910624024339A), Jun 24, 1991: Cessna 182Q, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Bent propeller and firewall.

## Other investigations on N759KM (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX90LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA077), Mar 11, 1990: Cessna 182Q (N759KM), Watsonville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

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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