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NTSB Report

May 15, 2008 · Cessna 182P · N4660K

Santa Maria, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Santa Maria, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182P
Tail Number
N4660K
Operator
Gregory S Anderson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08LA140

After returning from a 55-minute local area flight, the airplane touched down on the main landing gear and bounced repeatedly until the nose landing gear collapsed. Results of breath alcohol testing performed after the accident suggested that the pilot’s blood alcohol content was likely near 0.30 percent at the time of takeoff. A review of the pilot's medical records maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that the pilot had admitted to a prior DUI with driver's license suspension that occurred on August 21, 2006, and that the FAA had taken no action in response to the reported DUI. The pilot did not provide, and the FAA did not request, the arrest report from that DUI. That report, obtained by the NTSB, indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.10 and the possession of cocaine at the time of the 2006 arrest. Inspection of the airplane found that the engine firewall was wrinkled and the fuselage structure around the nose landing gear was damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's impairment from alcohol and his improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was the FAA's failure to obtain additional information about the pilot's alcohol use history to verify that he met the requirements and standards for medical certification.

Full Narrative

"THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED MAY 15, 2009." On May 14, 2008, approximately 1815 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N4660K, sustained substantial damage following a hard landing at Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), Santa Maria, California. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, personal flight, which had originated approximately 55 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that after returning from a local area flight, he informed the tower controller of his intentions for a left downwind, full stop landing. The pilot was given clearance and instructed that he was number two for landing. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on the mains and bounced. The pilot added power to stabilize the landing, however, the nose gear collapsed. Witnesses to the accident reported that the airplane landed on runway 30 and bounced repeatedly until the nose landing gear collapsed. Inspection of the airplane found that the engine firewall was wrinkled and the fuselage structure around the nose landing gear was damaged. First responders to the accident site called for the on-airport law enforcement officer to respond to the accident site as they suspected that the pilot was intoxicated. Shortly thereafter, the Santa Maria Police Department tested the pilot for alcohol intoxication. The first breath test was conducted at 1933, and resulted in a .24 percent blood alcohol content (BAC); a second breath test was performed at 1937, and resulted in a .23 percent BAC. The pilot was subsequently taken into custody. The pilot initially reported to law enforcement that he had a bad cold and had taken Vicks Cold Medicine that morning. In the pilot's statement to the National Transporation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he had been taking a cold medicine that had been given to him as a Christmas gift, and he did not know the ingredients. He reported that it was a homemade mixture that came from Tennessee. A review of the pilot's medical records maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aerospace Medical Certification Division indicated that the pilot reported to the FAA a DUI with license suspension on August 21, 2006. No records were found indicating that any details of the license suspension were provided by the pilot or that such details were pursued by the FAA prior to the aircraft accident. No FAA action was noted in response to the reported DUI. The arrest report for that DUI was obtained by the NTSB and indicated a blood alcohol content of 0.10 and the possession of cocaine at the time of arrest. The pilot's most recent medical certificate dated April 14, 2008, indicates that on that application, the pilot indicated, "yes" in response to item 18.v. "history of any conviction(s) involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug...." He gave no further explanations. There is no further information dated prior to the accident in the FAA medical records regarding the pilot's prior history of driving while intoxicated, and no indications that the FAA requested any additional information.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:15 PDT
Nearest AirportHancock Field (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length6304 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182P
Tail NumberN4660K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGregory S Anderson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 5 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data