Probable cause
The pilot's misjudged landing flare.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the approach to the runway was normal using 30 degrees of flaps and an airspeed of 80 mph. He slowed to 60 mph over the runway and was thinking about flaring when the "bottom fell out." The airplane dropped, hit hard, and the nose wheel separated. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The top of the vertical fin and rudder were crushed.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA174 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 10, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cottage Grove, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Cottage Grove (61S)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182
- N-number
- N182RA
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.