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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

January 17, 1989 · Cessna TR182 · N5398R

Oakland, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Oakland, CA
Aircraft
Cessna TR182
Tail Number
N5398R
Operator
Steve Epstein
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA085

PRIOR TO LANDING, THE PLT EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND NOTED THAT THE GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE PLT MANUALLY EXTENDED THE GEAR, HOWEVER, THE INDICATION WAS THE GEAR WAS NOT DOWN AND LOCKED. THE PLT VISUAL NOTED THAT THE MAIN GEAR WAS EXTENDED BUT WAS UNSURE IF THE NOSE WAS EXTENDED. THE PLT FLEW BY THE TOWER AND THE CONTROLLER NOTED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE NOSE WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE PLT LANDED THE AIRPLANE, MAIN WHEELS FIRST, AND HELD THE NOSE OFF AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RT. THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES AND BACK PRESSURE ON THE YOKE. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AS THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RWY AND NOSED OVER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANCIAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS HAVING CAUSED THE GEAR COLLAPSE. THE PLT RPTD THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD EXPERIENCED A PREVIOUS HARD LANDING.

NTSB Probable Cause

PREVIOUS DAMAGE DUE TO PREVIOUS HARD LANDING.

Full Narrative

PRIOR TO LANDING, THE PLT EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR AND NOTED THAT THE GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED INDICATOR WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE PLT MANUALLY EXTENDED THE GEAR, HOWEVER, THE INDICATION WAS THE GEAR WAS NOT DOWN AND LOCKED. THE PLT VISUAL NOTED THAT THE MAIN GEAR WAS EXTENDED BUT WAS UNSURE IF THE NOSE WAS EXTENDED. THE PLT FLEW BY THE TOWER AND THE CONTROLLER NOTED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE NOSE WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE PLT LANDED THE AIRPLANE, MAIN WHEELS FIRST, AND HELD THE NOSE OFF AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RT. THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES AND BACK PRESSURE ON THE YOKE. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AS THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RWY AND NOSED OVER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANCIAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS HAVING CAUSED THE GEAR COLLAPSE. THE PLT RPTD THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD EXPERIENCED A PREVIOUS HARD LANDING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:12 PST
Nearest AirportOAKLAND (0nm N)
Runway27R
Runway Length5453 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TR182
Tail NumberN5398R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSteve Epstein
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind70° @ 6 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data