# NTSB SEA95LA140: Cessna 182R, N4836E, Copalis Beach, WA, July 5, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1995, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Copalis Beach, WA
- Coordinates: 47.090248, -124.130119 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0902&lon=-124.1301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT INTENDED TO LAND ON A SECTION OF BEACH DESIGNATED AS A STATE AIRPORT.  AFTER FLYING OVER THE AREA, THE PILOT DETERMINED THE BEACH WAS SMOOTH WITH SOME WET SPOTS AND DECIDED TO LAND ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE WET AREA.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO A SHINY LOOKING AREA THAT THE PILOT THOUGHT WAS WET SAND.  THE AREA WAS ACTUALLY A POOL OF WATER ABOUT 6-8 INCHES DEEP.  WHEN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DROPPED INTO THE POOL, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED DOWN.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 1995, about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182R, N4836E, broke the nose gear during landing at Copalis Beach, WA.  The personal flight, operated under 14 CFR 91, last departed Seattle, WA about 0930 hours.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and the three passengers were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.

The pilot stated that he was on a pleasure flight and intended to land on a section of beach designated as Copalis State Airport.  He flew over the landing area to check the winds and the beach condition.  He observed the beach to be smooth with some wet shinny areas.  He elected to land at the upper edge of the wet area. During the landing roll, the aircraft hit one of the shinny areas that the pilot thought was a wet spot.  The area was actually a pool of water about 6-8 inches deep.  When the main gear dropped into the pool the aircraft nosed down, substantially damaging the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4836E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4836E), registered now, S/N 18268277, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 68277
- Airframe hours: 2245
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cessna N4836e Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1995, 109 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: S16, Copalis State, runway 32, 4,500 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,138 total, 530 in this make and model, 1,023 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19950705034429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950705034429A), Jul 5, 1995: Cessna 182R, Copalis, WA, Substantial damage. Struck eight inch deep water area landing on beach landing strip. Impact broke the nose gear.

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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