This June 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 182.
Location: Baker City, Ore.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was on approach to landing when he noted that the Precision Approach Path Indicator showed the plane was above the standard glide path, so he reduced engine power. The airplane descended faster than the pilot anticipated it would. He applied power in an attempt to correct the descent rate and pulled the nose up, resulting in a reduction in airspeed. The 182 stalled and touched down hard, then bounced. The pilot recovered from the bounced landing and was able to taxi back to the ramp.
A post-accident inspection revealed that the aircraft’s firewall was bent.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and misjudged flare during landing.
