Cessna 182
San Luis, CO — November 12, 2019
Event Information
| Date | November 12, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA20CA071 |
| Event ID | 20191112X15408 |
| Location | San Luis, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 37.06500, -105.46361 |
| Airport | Melby Ranch Airstrip |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Cessna |
| Model | 182 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper pitch attitude during landing on rising terrain in flat light conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that during landing at dusk, and into the setting sun, he observed "flat light" conditions. The private dirt airstrip increased in gradient as he landed to the west. About 75 knots airspeed, the pilot increased the flaps, attempted to bleed off airspeed, and touched down. The airplane landed hard, "because I literally did not see it coming." The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the lower fuselage and the empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.