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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

August 2, 2002 · Cessna 182P · N8290G

Mokelumne Hill, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mokelumne Hill, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182P
Tail Number
N8290G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA244

The airplane collided with terrain short of the runway while landing at a private airstrip. The 1,100-foot-long runway has a 5- to 7-percent upgrade to the south. While making a left downwind approach for a short field landing, the pilot had selected 20 degrees of flaps. Just short of the runway, the airplane sank about 10 feet, and "one second" later, the airplane impacted a dirt bank 2 feet short of the north edge of the runway. The pilot stated that "more altitude on final, use of full flaps" could have prevented the accident. The pilot's operating handbook for the airplane calls for a 40-degree-flap setting on short field and normal landings. No mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane were reported prior to the mishap.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and failure to follow the manufacturer's recommended flap setting of 40 degrees, which resulted in an undershoot short of the runway. Factors include the runway's upslope and short length, which likely created the visual illusion of being high during the approach.

Full Narrative

On August 2, 2002, at 1505 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N8290G, collided with terrain short of the runway while landing at the Del Orto private airstrip, Mokelumne Hill, California. The airplane was owned and operated by Sacramento Aero Services, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and rented by the pilot for a personal flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated at Auburn, California, at 1427, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that while making a left downwind approach for a short field landing, he had selected 20 degrees of flaps. Just short of the runway, the airplane sank about 10 feet, and "one second" later, the airplane impacted a dirt bank about 2 feet short of the north edge of the south runway. The main landing gear and the nose gear collapsed during the accident sequence and the airplane slid down the centerline of the runway coming to rest approximately 130 feet past the initial point of impact. No mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane were reported prior to the mishap. The 1,100-foot runway has a 5- to 7-percent upgrade to the south. Following the accident, the pilot stated that "more altitude on final, use of full flaps" could have prevented the accident. The Cessna 182P pilot's operating handbook calls for a 40-degree-flap setting on short field and normal landings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:05 PDT
Nearest AirportDELORTO (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length1100 ft
Runway Width24 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182P
Tail NumberN8290G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.80 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data