Probable cause
The pilot's excessive descent rate during approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he landed the airplane with full flaps, which he usually did not do, and believed that the full flaps created an excessive approach descent rate. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced several times, and was hard to taxi after exiting the runway. A post landing examination by the pilot revealed structural damage to the firewall and fuselage.
The pilot reported that prior to the landing, there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA041 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 3, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Page Field (FMY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182R
- N-number
- N9490X
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1985
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.