# NTSB WPR21LA344: Cessna 182E, N3186Y, Eugene, OR, July 31, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 31, 2021, 10:07 local (17:07 UTC) - Place: Eugene, OR · Provided by pilot - Coordinates: 44.128253, -123.21835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1283&lon=-123.2184&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103859/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103859 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA344 ## Probable cause Loss of directional control due to damage to the nosewheel strut that was sustained during a previous landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the airplane’s nosewheel touched the ground, the airplane veered aggressively to the right then left. The pilot applied corrective control inputs, but the airplane departed the runway, tipped onto the left wing, and spun around. The airplane’s nosewheel had been modified in accordance with a supplemental type certificate, which raised the nose of the airplane by 4 inches. The modified geometry resulted in the airplane being more susceptible to control difficulties during landing, unless a soft field landing technique was used. The pilot stated that the landing was normal, and there was no damage to the runway surface at the touchdown point to suggest otherwise. However, he stated that the airplane swerved aggressively on the previous landing earlier in the day during high gusting wind conditions. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies with the steering system; however, there was damage to the firewall and nosewheel strut that indicated the nosewheel had struck the ground hard. Based on the pilot’s report that the airplane swerved aggressively during a landing earlier in the day, it is likely that the airplane was damaged during that landing, which caused the loss of control during the accident landing. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 2021, about 1007, a Cessna 182E, N3186Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eugene, Oregon. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on the main landing gear then allowed the nosewheel to settle onto the runway. As soon as it did, the airplane veered to the right and then left. He applied corrective rudder control inputs and the airplane veered more violently to the left, until it was perpendicular to the runway centerline. The right wing then dropped, and the wingtip struck the ground as the airplane came to rest. The pilot stated that the airplane swerved aggressively during the last landing at another airport earlier in the day; however, wind conditions there were strong (23 kts gusting to 30 kts), and he assumed that was the reason for the diversion. The airplane was equipped with a modified nosewheel assembly installed in accordance with Airglas Inc. supplemental type certificate SA02069AK. The installation called for the replacement of the original nose gear fork assembly with one designed for a Piper PA32, which allowed installation of a larger 8.50-6 tire. The STC resulted in a 4-inch increase in nose gear height. The STC’s flight manual supplement stated the following regarding in-flight procedures: “Landing: The Nose Fork and 8.50-6 tire increases the length of the nose gear by approximately 4 inches. Pilots should ensure that all landings are accomplished in a nose high attitude similar to the soft field approach attitude. CAUTION During landing there is an increased possibility of wheelbarrowing or porpoising during landing. Pilots should ensure that all landings are accomplished in a nose high attitude similar to the soft field approach attitude.” Examination of the airplane revealed that the outboard 2-ft section of the right-wing leading edge was bent upwards. The nosewheel strut had bent slightly forward, the firewall and lower forward fuselage structure had buckled, and the propeller blade tips were curled aft. The nosewheel steering assembly appeared intact. Examination of the runway surface did not reveal any evidence of skid marks or propeller strike at the initial touchdown point; however, multiple swerving tire transfer marks, and both propeller blade and wing tip scrape marks were observed on the asphalt in the taxiway area where the airplane spun around. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3186Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3186Y), registered now, S/N 18254186, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254186 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 6857.68 - Engines: Texas Skyways O-520 F/TS 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2021, 10 hours before - Departed: KDLS, The Dalles, OR - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: EUG, Mahlon Sweet Fld, runway 16R/34L, 8,009 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 757 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KEUG - METAR: METAR KEUG 311654Z 23004KT 10SM SCT140 BKN180 BKN220 24/14 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP163 T02390144= ## 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 20210731013379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210731013379A), Jul 31, 2021: Cessna 182E, Eugene, OR, Substantial damage. During landing at Mahlon Sweet field, Eugene, OR (eug), rwy 16R, the airplane swerved to the right, then to the left, and back to the right resulting in the… ## Other investigations on N3186Y (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 MIA74DKJ37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DKJ37), Dec 21, 1973: Cessna 182 (N3186Y), Hazel Green, AL, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 22, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103859. 13.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 750 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15122016&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_NTSB%206120_1-Fillable_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook excerpts (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15122123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_3186Y%20Airframe%20Logbook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Damage assessment report (item 3, PDF, 23 pages, 21 photos, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15122230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=damage%20assesment-Rel.pdf - Photos provided by keug airport operations (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 6 photos, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15125237&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20provided%20by%20AP%20Ops-Rel.pdf 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.