# NTSB LAX97LA249: Cessna 182G, N2164R, Fresno, CA, July 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1997, 21:30 local (Jul 14, 1997, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.639934, -119.909713 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6399&lon=-119.9097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29842/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA249 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he misjudged the landing flare and stalled the aircraft just above the runway during a night landing. The aircraft hit the pavement on the nose gear, damaging the firewall and the structural elements immediately behind it. The pilot was a newly certificated private pilot and had accumulated a total night time of 4.6 hours. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1997, at 2130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182G, N2164R, collided with the runway while landing at the Sierra Sky Park Airport, Fresno, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was completing a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and the two passengers onboard were not injured. The flight originated at the Sierra Sky Park Airport on the day of the accident at 2030, and made a stop at the Fresno Air Terminal prior to returning for landing. The pilot reported the accident to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors on July 21 when the extent of the damage was determined to be substantial. The pilot stated that he misjudged the landing flare and stalled the aircraft just above the runway. The aircraft hit the pavement on the nose gear, damaging the firewall and the structural elements immediately behind it. The pilot is a newly certificated private pilot and has accumulated a total night time of 4.6 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2164R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2164R-2007-10-17), registration cancelled 2007-10-17, S/N 18255364, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255364 - Airframe hours: 2533 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Russell D. Ribb - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1997, 40 hours before - Departed: Q60 - Airport: Q60, Sierra Sky Park, runway 30, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 87 total, 34 in this make and model, 38 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAT, 15 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 19970713044469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970713044469A), Jul 13, 1997: Cessna 182G, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled on high level flare. Impacted runway on nose gear. Damaged firewall and airframe nose section. ## Other investigations on N2164R (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 SEA07LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA137), May 28, 2007: Cessna 182 (N2164R), Moab, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering after takeoff. 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.