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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 20, 2009 · Cessna 182 A · N3710D

Kelleys Island, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kelleys Island, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 182 A
Tail Number
N3710D
Operator
Paul D Hiller
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09LA183

The pilot executed a normal approach to runway 27 in gusty wind conditions. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left and the airplane veered to the right and the right wing tip struck the runway. While airborne, the pilot increased the engine throttle in an attempt to recover; however, the airplane then veered to the left. Subsequently, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted terrain adjacent to the runway and collapsed. The airplane skidded across the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot reported that the wind was from 290 degrees at 15 to 20 knots, gusting 25 to 30 knots. During an examination of the airplane's flight control system, the aileron cable tension was found to be inadequate. The reason for the inadequate aileron cable tension was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty winds due to inadequate aileron cable tension.

Full Narrative

On February 20, 2009, approximately 1100 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182A single-engine airplane, N3710D, sustained substantial damage during landing at Kelleys Island Land Field Airport, Kelleys Island, Ohio. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Port Clinton, Ohio, at 1045. The pilot executed a normal approach to runway 27 (2,270 feet by 35 feet, asphalt) in gusty wind conditions. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left, the airplane veered to the right, and the right wing tip struck the runway. While airborne, the pilot increased the engine throttle in an attempt to recover; however, the airplane then veered to the left. Subsequently, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted terrain adjacent to the runway and collapsed. The airplane skidded across the runway and came to rest upright. The pilot reported the wind was from 290 degrees at 15 to 20 knots, and gusting 25 to 30 knots. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the firewall was buckled, and the aileron control system had "slack" in the cables. The inspector reported that "not much pressure was required to move the ailerons to neutral while holding the control yoke." The inspector stated that the cable slack was not caused by damage during the accident sequence. Examination of the aileron control cables could not determine the reason for the lack of tension in the system. The airplane underwent its most recent annual inspection on October 20, 2008. Between the time of the annual inspection and the accident, no additional maintenance to the aileron control system was noted in the maintenance records. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated approximately 4 hours since the annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EST
Nearest AirportKelleys Island Land Field Airp (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182 A
Tail NumberN3710D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul D Hiller
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O470 · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 74 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data