Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was the excessive airspeed.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot flew to Olathe, Kansas with two passengers and returned. While landing at Kansas City Downtown Airport, the airplane landed hard. The pilot's attorney stated that the 'Pilot came in . . . hot, fast, and high, and had a hard landing.' The airplane received substantial damage, which included deformation of the fuselage (right side) and deformation of the right main gear.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 21, 1997, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 182RG, N736YZ, operated by Phoenix Aviation, Kansas City, Missouri, sustained substantial damage while landing at Downtown Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local 14 Part 91 flight. No flight plan was on file. In the FAA's Accident Investigation Record, it states that the pilot flew from Kansas City, Missouri, to Olathe, Kansas, with two passengers. The pilot then returned to Kansas City and during the hard landing caused "...substantial damage to the aircraft." Attempts to get a statement from the pilot were unsuccessful. The pilot declined questioning. In speaking with the pilot's attorney, he stated that the "Pilot came in... ... hot, fast, and high, and had a hard landing." A second copy of the 6120.1/2 was faxed to the attorney's office for the pilot for completion of blocks left blank. No reply was ever received. The letter is an attachment to this file. Damage to the aircraft consisted of deformation of the right side fuselage and right main gear. -