Accident Details
On September 15, 2012, at approximately 0815 eastern daylight time, a Cessna Model 182P airplane (N58844) was substantially damaged during a landing attempt at Mecosta Morton Airport (27C) in Mecosta, Michigan. The private pilot received minor injuries, while the passenger was not injured.
Flight History
The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, departed Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6), Greenville, Michigan, about 0800 on a personal flight. No flight plan was filed. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that Runway 21 had a displaced threshold of 460 feet, resulting in an effective runway length of 1,550 feet. There was no appreciable wind. During landing, the airplane bounced upon touchdown, and the pilot initially believed it would settle back onto the runway without incident. However, the airplane landed hard and bounced a second time. It then impacted nose-first on the runway centerline approximately three-quarters of the way down the usable runway length. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid on the forward fuselage for about 40 feet before nosing over onto its back.
Damage
Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage, firewall, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that he did not attempt an aborted landing because buildings were located off the end of the runway, which he believed the airplane could not clear.
Weather Conditions
The closest weather observation station was at Roben-Hood Airport (RQB), about 12 miles northwest. At 0815, the automated surface observing system reported calm wind, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 5°C, dew point 4°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.34 inches of mercury.