Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery. Contributing factors were the overload failure of a main landing gear tire which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot made a hard landing on runway 19R, which was 5,002 feet long by 75 feet wide. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced slightly into the air, then a second time, following which the left main landing gear tire blew out. The pilot lost control of the airplane, veered left off the side of the runway, and collided with an airport sign. The FAA coordinator examined the flat tire and opined that its preimpact condition had been satisfactory for use. No defects were observed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 26, 1996, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna R182, N2649C, operated by the pilot, made a landing on runway 19R at the McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The airplane bounced twice on the runway, the left main landing gear tire blew out, and the airplane veered left. The airplane exited off the side of the runway and collided with an airport sign. The airplane was substantially damaged and neither the private pilot nor the three passengers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from Van Nuys, California, at 1400. In the pilot's accident report, he indicated that upon touchdown the airplane "bounced slightly into the air. On the second attempt, the left main tire blew out forcing the plane off the runway." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator examined the flat tire. The FAA opined that its preimpact condition had been satisfactory for normal use. No evidence of any preimpact malfunctions or defects was observed with the tire assembly. -