Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA99LA167

KAMIAH, ID, USA

Aircraft #1

N182MA

Cessna 182S

Analysis

The pilot reported that on final approach to the 1,800-foot-long airstrip, his airspeed was 75 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) 'and dropping' (the aircraft information manual specifies a final approach speed of 60 KIAS until the flare for a short-field landing), and that the wind shifted to a 5-knot tailwind on final. The pilot stated he landed long, and that although he had 'little runway left' during the landing flare, he decided not to go around because of rising terrain and obstructions at the end of the runway. During the landing roll, the pilot locked the brakes and the main landing gear tires blew. The pilot was unable to steer or stop the airplane before it veered to the right and ran off the end of the runway, colliding with a fence before coming to rest. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved.

Factual Information

On September 17, 1999, approximately 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182S, N182MA, was substantially damaged when it overran the runway and collided with a fence at a private airstrip approximately 5 miles northeast of Kamiah, Idaho. The private pilot, who was the airplane's sole occupant, was not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight, which originated at Pullman, Washington, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. In written statements to the FAA and NTSB, the pilot reported that his landing approach was made to the east, with 30 degrees (full) flaps and "about 75 knots indicated [airspeed] and dropping" on final. The pilot reported that the wind "had favored [the] downhill end of [the] runway [and] changed while on final"; he estimated the wind during the landing as being from 270 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot stated that he landed long, and that although he had "little runway left" during the landing flare he decided not to go around because of rising terrain and other obstructions at the end of the runway. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, he "must have pani[c]ked" and "locked the brakes to [sic] hard", and that he then "blew both [main landing gear] tires." The pilot was unable to steer or stop the airplane, which veered to the right of centerline and ran off the end of the runway. The airplane collided with a fence before coming to a stop. The pilot indicated on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. The Cessna 182S Information Manual gives final approach speed for a normal landing as 60 to 70 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) with full flaps, and for a short-field landing as 60 KIAS until the flare, with full flaps. Performance data in the Cessna 182S Information Manual indicate the aircraft's landing ground roll to be approximately 870 feet, and total distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle to be approximately 1,910 feet, under the following conditions: short field landing technique as specified in section 4 (Normal Procedures) of the Information Manual; gross weight 2,950 pounds (the aircraft's maximum landing weight); flaps full; power off; maximum braking; paved level dry runway; 5 knots tailwind; speed at 50 feet 60 KIAS; pressure altitude 3,000 feet above sea level; and temperature 30 degrees C. (The pilot reported that the airstrip elevation is approximately 2,900 feet above sea level, and that the temperature at the time of the accident was approximately 80 degrees F [27 degrees C].) The pilot reported that the airstrip is paved and 1,800 feet long with obstructions on both ends. The runway slopes up from west to east at an estimated 4 degrees in its westernmost portion.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's excessive airspeed on final approach, his inadequate remedial action, and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing. Factors included a short, confined landing area and a tailwind.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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