SILVERDALE, WA, USA
N3900D
Cessna 182A
The pilot reported that he was 'low and slow' on approach to the divert airport's runway 35. An FAA inspector observed wheel touchdown marks 90 feet short of the threshold. A witness reported that the aircraft was 'landing with full flaps, low energy nose high attitude' and that he 'heard the engine speed increase and a pop of the engine and the engine remained at full throttle for approx(imately) eight seconds.' The witness also reported the winds as calm at the time. The pilot reported that he 'gave the aircraft more power and felt that there was not enough pressure and the nose pitched up and he lost view of the runway' and that he 'lost control on landing to [the] right side.' The aircraft then collided with a tree and a parked Beech Bonanza.
On July 18, 1999, approximately 1015 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N3900D, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with a tree and a parked Beech Bonanza while attempting to abort a landing at the Apex Airpark, Silverdale, Washington. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions were reported to have existed at the time, and no flight plan was in effect. The flight, which was personal, was believed to have originated from Santa Rosa, California, and had stopped for fuel at Chehalis, Washington, departing approximately 0900 on the morning of the accident. The flight was en route to Eastsound, the San Juan Islands, Washington. The pilot reported that near Bangor, Washington, he turned back and diverted into the Apex Airpark due to low ceiling weather conditions. He made a left downwind entry to runway 35. According to an interview with the witness by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (Renton), the aircraft was observed "landing with full flaps, low energy nose high attitude." The witness reported that he "heard the engine speed increase and a pop of the engine and the engine remained at full throttle for approx(imately) eight seconds." The witness reported the winds as calm at the time. The FAA inspector reported that during his on-site inspection, he noted marks associated with the aircraft's wheels in the dirt approximately 90 feet short of the threshold to runway 35. The pilot was interviewed by the same FAA inspector telephonically, and reported that "he felt that he was low and slow" and that he "used 40 degrees of flaps." The inspector also reported that the pilot stated he "gave the aircraft more power and felt that there was not enough pressure and the nose pitched up and he lost view of the runway." The pilot reported in his completed NTSB form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report - attached) that he "lost control on landing to [the] right side - hit airport owner's airplane." The pilot also indicated that there was no mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. Additionally, he remarked on NTSB form 6120.1/2 under the 'Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented):' "1) Not having taken off" and "2) Pilot not having his head up and locked and losing control on landing."
The pilot-in-command's misjudgment of distance/altitude (undershoot) on final, and his failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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