Primary finding
Probable cause
Improper recovery from a bounced landing by the pilot-in-command. A factor was a premature landing flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot made a steep approach to land over power lines off the approach end of the runway. He flared high, and on landing, the aircraft bounced and the bounce became divergent. The wind was approximately 60 degrees right of the nose at 15 knots and the aircraft departed the side of the runway after power was added to go around.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 21, 1995, at 1752 mountain daylight time, a Cessna TR182, N5153R, sustained substantial damage during landing roll at Center, Colorado. The pilot received minor injuries, and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight which departed Grand Junction, Colorado, earlier in the day. According to the pilot and witness, the approach was steep, due to clearing power lines at the approach end of the runway. The landing flare was high resulting in a bounced landing which the witness said became divergent. The pilot said the crosswind (approximately 60 degrees right at 15 knots) caused the airplane to depart the side of the runway where it nosed over in soft terrain. According to the pilot and witness, power was added as the bounce became divergent in an attempt to go around. -