# NTSB SEA97LA054: Cessna 182M, N42694, Vancouver, WA, December 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 15, 1996, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Vancouver, WA - Coordinates: 45.720573, -122.740219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7206&lon=-122.7402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42558/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA054 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's touchdown with an excessive rate of descent. Factors included gusty crossiwnds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a landing attempt with crosswinds gusting to 16 knots, he descended steeply from above the proper glide path, and that over the end of the runway the winds 'stopped gusting.' He stated that his touchdown was 'kind of hard', misaligned, and with excessive speed. He initiated a go-around, remained in the pattern, and performed a second, uneventful landing. The airplane did not initially appear damaged to him, but a subsequent airframe inspection by a mechanic revealed substantial structural damage. ## Factual narrative On December 15, 1996, between 1100 and 1200 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182L, N42694, was substantially damaged in a hard landing at Pearson Field, Vancouver, Washington. The private pilot, its sole occupant, was not injured. According to the pilot, the 14 CFR 91 flight had departed Pearson Field with an ultimate destination of Scappoose, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and the pilot reported that a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on Pearson Field's runway 8, which is 3,275 feet long and 60 feet wide. He stated that a wind from the south, gusting to 16 knots, existed for the landing. He reported that on final, he was above the glide path, and was high at 500 feet above the runway. He stated that he continued a steep descent with full flaps to the touchdown zone, and that "over the end of the runway the wind stopped gusting." He reported that his landing was "kind of hard", and that the plane touched down left of centerline, angled to the right, and "too fast to apply brakes or correct to the centerline or to continue the landing." He therefore initiated a go-around, remaining in the pattern and performing a second, uneventful landing with flaps one-third down. The pilot stated that he did not initially think he had damaged the aircraft; however, a subsequent airframe inspection by a mechanic revealed a buckled firewall and other structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42694](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42694), registered now, S/N 18259142, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182M - Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18259142 - Airframe hours: 5200 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ralza B. Hamilton - Registered owner: Daniel E. Davidson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: 60S, WA - Destination: 1S4, SCAPPOOSE, OR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 60S, Pearson Field, runway 8, 3,275 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,046 total, 57 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 39 °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 19961215045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961215045879A), Dec 15, 1996: Cessna 182M, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Hard landing in gusty crosswind. Went around. Landed. Found buckled fire wall and other damage. ## Other investigations on N42694 (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 OAK77DVG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77DVG08), Nov 4, 1976: Cessna 182 (N42694), Jackson, CA, substantial damage 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.