Cessna 182 N2000R accident near Salisbury, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, causing the airplane to balloon and land hard.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot of the tricycle landing gear equipped airplane, he was performing skydiving operations. He reported that he felt rushed in performing his assigned duties because, "the skydiving school kept wanting me to return quicker for the next load." The pilot recalled that after dropping the sky divers, he made his approach to land; the airplane ballooned during the flare, and landed hard on all three landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA081 for the full record.