Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA94LA104

HANKSVILLE, UT, USA

Aircraft #1

N5045D

CESSNA 182

Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A 1,300 FOOT SECTION OF DIRT/GRAVEL ROAD, THE PILOT ALLOWED HIS AIRSPEED TO BE 10 MPH HIGHER THAN THAT RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING. HE THEREFORE TOUCHED DOWN LONG AND FAST, AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE RUNNING OFF THE END OF THE ROAD. AFTER RUNNING OFF THE ROAD, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DIRT BERM AND NOSED OVER.

Factual Information

On April 18, 1994, approximately 1445 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 182, N5045D, nosed over after running off the end of a dirt road about 25 miles south of Hanksville, Utah. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed another road about 25 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the accident, was turned off at the scene. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the pilot was attempting to land on a 1,300 foot section of dirt/gravel road, but came in too fast. He therefore touched down beyond the point at which he intended to be on the ground, and was unable to stop before hitting a mound of dirt off the end of the road. Upon colliding with the mound of dirt, the aircraft flipped over onto its back. The operator's manual for this aircraft calls for an airspeed of 70 mph during a short field approach, but the pilot said that the aircraft was indicating about 80 mph as he crossed the threshold. The FAA provided the NTSB IIC with confirmation of substantial damage to the aircraft on 5/2/94.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE EXCESS AIRSPEED MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT ON FINAL APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS INCLUDE LOOSE GRAVEL, AND A BERM OFF THE END OF THE INTENDED LANDING STRIP.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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