Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he made a straight-in approach about 80 knots and full flaps on final. He initiated the landing flare and "felt a slight sink in lift," which resulted in a hard landing. He reported that the airplane bounced four times with each bounce increasing in height and magnitude. Subsequently, he taxied the airplane to the nearest intersection but was unable to continue because the airplane was "taxiing rough", and he believed that the nose landing gear tire was damaged.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right fuselage stringers.
Additionally, the pilot asserted that proper trim application could have helped to prevent this accident and that he should have aborted the landing after the first hard bounce.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA396 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 8, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- San Luis Obispo, California
- Nearest airport
- San Luis County Rgnl (SBP)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182
- N-number
- N411BP
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.