On October 7, 1990, a Cessna 182M (registration N70892) was involved in an aviation accident near Bakersfield, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing takeoffs and full stop landings misjudged the flare altitude at about 30 feet, resulting in a hard landing, bounce, and subsequent porpoising. The pilot had only 2.9 hours in the accident airplane and was flying without an instructor for the first time.
Incident Summary
The pilot intended to remain in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and full stop landings. On the first landing, the pilot misjudged the flare altitude, beginning the flare at approximately 30 feet above the ground. The airplane landed hard and bounced. The pilot failed to properly recover from the bounced landing, and the airplane continued to porpoise several times until coming to a stop.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accrued only 2.9 flight hours in the accident airplane. The accident flight was the first time the pilot flew the airplane without an instructor. The pilot had received 2.6 hours of flight instruction about six weeks before the accident and had not flown any airplane since receiving that instruction until the accident flight.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 7 Oct 1990 Cessna 182M accident near Bakersfield, CA?
A pilot practicing takeoffs and full stop landings misjudged the flare altitude at about 30 feet, resulting in a hard landing, bounce, and subsequent porpoising. The pilot had only 2.9 hours in the accident airplane and was flying without an instructor for the first time.
Were there any fatalities in the 7 Oct 1990 Cessna 182M accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 Oct 1990 involved a Cessna 182M, registration N70892, at Bakersfield, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.
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