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September 5, 2016 · Cessna TR182 · N738GK

South Lake Tahoe, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Aircraft
Cessna TR182 (1979)
Tail Number
N738GK
Operator
West Air Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA465

The pilot reported that during landing the airplane floated half way down the runway, so she decided to perform a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot reported that airplane would not climb initially and one wheel touched down on the runway, which "threw the airplane off kilter." Subsequently, the airplane did start to climb, but the flight path was over the grass to the right of the runway, so she forced the airplane down in the grass ahead. During the touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. During a postaccident interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that during the go-around, she retracted the flaps to 20 degrees, but she forgot to remove the carburetor heat because she normally flies fuel-injected airplanes. The fuselage, both wings, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's operating handbook for the accident airplane states in part: Balked Landing 1. Power – FULL THROTTLE and 2400 RPM [revolutions per minute]. 2. Carburetor Heat – COLD. 3. Wing Flaps – RETRACT to 20 degrees. 4. Climb Speed – 75 KIAS [knots indicated airspeed]. 5. Wing Flaps – RETRACT slowly after reach 75 KIAS. 6. Cowl Flaps – OPEN. About the time of the accident, at the accident airport, an automated weather observing system reported the wind to be variable at 6 knots, a temperature of 66 degrees Fahrenheit(19 Celsius), and a dew point of 26 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 Celsius). The airport's elevation was 6,268 feet above mean sea level (MSL) and the density altitude was 8,108 feet above MSL.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to remove the carburetor heat during the attempted go-around in high density altitude conditions.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that during landing the airplane floated half way down the runway, so she decided to perform a go-around. During the go-around, the pilot reported that airplane would not climb initially and one wheel touched down on the runway, which "threw the airplane off kilter." Subsequently, the airplane did start to climb, but the flight path was over the grass to the right of the runway, so she forced the airplane down in the grass ahead. During the touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. During a postaccident interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that during the go-around, she retracted the flaps to 20 degrees, but she forgot to remove the carburetor heat because she normally flies fuel-injected airplanes. The fuselage, both wings, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's operating handbook for the accident airplane states in part: Balked Landing 1. Power – FULL THROTTLE and 2400 RPM [revolutions per minute]. 2. Carburetor Heat – COLD. 3. Wing Flaps – RETRACT to 20 degrees. 4. Climb Speed – 75 KIAS [knots indicated airspeed]. 5. Wing Flaps – RETRACT slowly after reach 75 KIAS. 6. Cowl Flaps – OPEN. About the time of the accident, at the accident airport, an automated weather observing system reported the wind to be variable at 6 knots, a temperature of 66 degrees Fahrenheit(19 Celsius), and a dew point of 26 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 Celsius). The airport's elevation was 6,268 feet above mean sea level (MSL) and the density altitude was 8,108 feet above MSL. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, an airplane would have experienced a 66% decrease to the normal rate of climb. The high density altitude and the pilot's failure to remove the carburetor heat likely contributed to the airplane touching down momentarily on the runway during the go-around.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest AirportLake Tahoe (0nm NNE)
Runway18
Runway Length8541 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TR182
Tail NumberN738GK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Air Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 27 C
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data