No fatalities

Pilot Reports Multiple Bounces and Stall During Night Landing Attempt

Parowan, UT, United States

On September 26, 2009, a CESSNA 182 A was involved in an aviation accident near Parowan, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that during a night landing, a hard touchdown led to multiple bounces. Attempting a go-around, the aircraft stalled and struck the ground, causing substantial damage to the left wing.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported experiencing multiple landing bounces during a night approach, followed by a go-around attempt that ended in a stall and ground impact. The event occurred during the second landing approach in dark night conditions.

Approach and Landing

The pilot stated that on final approach he observed being above the glide slope and lowered the nose to maintain it. As the aircraft neared the runway end, the pilot flattened the descent, landing with all three tires contacting the runway simultaneously. This resulted in a bounce, an occurrence the pilot said he had never experienced before.

Bounce Sequence

Unsure how to react, the pilot pushed forward on the control yoke to return to the runway, which he reported made the second bounce worse than the first. He then attempted to prevent a third bounce by pulling back on the yoke, but that action made the third bounce more pronounced than the previous two.

Go-Around and Stall

Fearing that another bounce could collapse the landing gear, the pilot initiated a go-around. He applied full power and attempted a gentle climb. With the stall warning sounding, the pilot glanced at the airspeed indicator, which read about 45 knots. He realized a stall was inevitable and felt the left wing drop, followed by an impact with the ground.

Damage and Aircraft Condition

The airplane's left wing sustained substantial damage. There was no post-crash fire. The pilot reported that no anomalies were noted with the airplane prior to the accident.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operation