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Unstabilized approach bends 182

By NTSB · August 5, 2015 ·

As the pilot approached the airport in Stanwood, Wash., he maneuvered the Cessna 182 to enter a standard traffic pattern. On final approach, he fully extended the wing flaps while reducing the engine power. He then temporarily added power to attain adequate clearance from trees located before the runway.

During the descent, the stall warning horn intermittently sounded and then continuously sounded.

The airplane stalled and, upon touchdown, it bounced hard on the runway. The pilot chose to abort the landing and then applied full power. As the engine power increased, he was not able to keep the nose down before the plane again stalled. It bounced hard and rolled onto its side.

He noted that the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a better short-field landing procedure to eliminate the airplane bouncing upon touchdown.

The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s unstabilized approach and his subsequent failure to maintain airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in a stall and the airplane bouncing hard on the runway.

NTSB Identification: WPR13LA359

This August 2013 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.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

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Comments

  1. John says

    August 6, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    I have been flying 182’s since 1975 only used full flaps a couple times on short fields.20° of flaps is all needed for 95% landings thus avoiding accidents like this one . Our runway is it 3400 AGL 3100ft, I almost always make the turn off midway 1550 feet

  2. Randy Coller says

    August 6, 2015 at 9:18 am

    It would be hard to find an easier plane to fly than a C-182.

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