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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 17, 1998 · Cessna 182A · N4827D

Palmer, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Palmer, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N4827D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC98LA051

The solo private pilot was landing at a private, gravel airstrip in a tricycle landing gear equipped airplane. The pilot stated in his written report that while on final approach to the south runway, he encountered winds estimated to be from 220 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 12 knots. As the airplane continued on the approach and went below the adjacent tree line, the rate of descent increased. He was unable to arrest the rate of decent prior to touchdown, and the airplane bounced on landing. He recovered from the bounce, and flew further down the runway and landed about midfield of the 1,250 feet long runway. He realized after touchdown he would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the runway, and elected to make a hard turn to the right and apply heavy breaking. During the turn, the left wing struck the ground and sustained substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to abort the landing. A factor associated with the accident is the presence of a variable wind condition.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1998, about 1930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 182A airplane, N4827D, sustained substantial damage while landing at a private airstrip located about 5 miles west of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no FAA flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, at 1915. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on May 21, 1998, at 1015, the pilot reported that while on approach to the south runway, he encountered winds estimated to be from 220 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 12 knots. He said as the airplane continued on the approach and went below the adjacent tree line, the rate of descent increased. He was unable to arrest the rate of descent prior to touchdown, and the airplane bounced on landing. He recovered from the bounce, and flew further down the runway and landed about midfield of the 1,250 feet long runway. He realized after touchdown he would be unable to stop the airplane before reaching the end of the runway, and he elected to make a hard turn to the right. During the turn, the left wing struck the ground and received substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway18
Runway Length1250 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN4827D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingOvercast 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data