Accident Details
On September 11, 2009, at approximately 1220 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182K, registration N2819R, experienced a hard landing and porpoised down the runway before coming to rest inverted at the Havasu Palms dirt airstrip, Chemehuevi, California. The aircraft was operated by the pilot/owner under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane sustained structural damage to the tail section. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed from an unknown location and was destined for Havasu Palms. No flight plan had been filed.
Flight and Landing Sequence
According to the pilot, he made an approach to landing over the lake onto runway 27. The airspeed was maintained at 60 knots. As the pilot reduced power to flare, the airplane was "caught in a downdraft." The airplane contacted the runway hard, then bounced back into the air in an "erratically unusual attitude." It subsequently landed and bounced a second time. During the third touchdown, the nose landing gear sheared off. The airplane then slid off the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that the winds were moderate, with the windsock pointing down the runway, and that he landed with a slight tailwind.
Weather Information
At 1156, the automated weather reporting system at Needles Airport (EED), located approximately 17 miles northwest of the accident airport, reported clear skies, temperature 39 degrees Celsius, dew point 7 degrees Celsius, and wind from 040 degrees at 5 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that at the time of the accident, wind gusts were coming from the lake, confirming that the airplane would have had a tailwind during landing.
Inspection Findings
The pilot did not submit a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board.