On September 30, 1989, a Cessna 182 (registration N96642) operated by Nothern Air was involved in an aviation accident near Eureka, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Two certified flight instructors were aboard the aircraft with one acting as pilot in command while giving instruction to the other in short field takeoffs and landings.
What happened
A training flight was conducted involving two certified flight instructors. One instructor served as the pilot in command (PIC) while providing instruction to the other on techniques for short field takeoffs and landings. During the approach phase, the PIC reported that the descent rate became excessive as the aircraft neared the runway. The PIC instructed the other pilot to apply power, but the response was delayed. Consequently, the aircraft landed hard.
The investigation
The pilot in command acknowledged that the accident could have been prevented had he taken remedial action sooner rather than delaying his own intervention.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing.
What happened in the 30 Sept 1989 Cessna 182 accident near Eureka, CA?
Two certified flight instructors were aboard the aircraft with one acting as pilot in command while giving instruction to the other in short field takeoffs and landings.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 Sept 1989 involved a Cessna 182, registration N96642, operated by Nothern Air, at Eureka, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed and descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…