On June 5, 1991, a Cessna 182 (registration N2489X) operated by Helen Tabor Martin was involved in an aviation accident near Lincoln, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The owner pilot misjudged the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing and bounce, and the pilot in command failed to properly recover from the bounced 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.
An owner pilot with an expired medical certificate asked a certificated private pilot passenger to accompany her on a flight. During landing at Lincoln Airport, the owner pilot misjudged the flare, causing a hard landing, bounce, and porpoise until the nose gear collapsed. The pilot in command failed to properly recover from the bounce.
Overview
An accident occurred during a landing at Lincoln Airport involving an owner pilot whose medical certificate had expired. She requested a certificated private pilot passenger to accompany her on the flight. The passenger reported that he was not checked out in the airplane and would not assume the responsibilities of pilot in command.
Events
During the landing, the owner pilot misjudged the flare altitude. The aircraft landed hard, bounced, and began to porpoise. The porpoising continued until the nose gear collapsed. The pilot in command (PIC) failed to properly recover from the bounced landing.
Findings
The owner pilot operated the flight despite an expired medical certificate. The certificated private pilot passenger did not assume PIC duties due to lack of checkout in the airplane. The hard landing and subsequent porpoise resulted from misjudged flare altitude and improper recovery.
Probable cause
The owner pilot misjudged the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing and bounce, and the pilot in command failed to properly recover from the bounced landing.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 5 Jun 1991 Cessna 182 accident near Lincoln, CA?
An owner pilot with an expired medical certificate asked a certificated private pilot passenger to accompany her on a flight. During landing at Lincoln Airport, the owner pilot misjudged the flare, causing a hard landing, bounce, and porpoise until the nose gear collapsed. The pilot in command failed to properly…
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 5 Jun 1991 involved a Cessna 182, registration N2489X, operated by Helen Tabor Martin, at Lincoln, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The owner pilot misjudged the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing and bounce, and the pilot in command failed to properly recover from the bounced landing.
