Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare while landing with a tailwind, resulting in a bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he conducted an approach to landing over the lake, landing to the west, and that as he reduced power to flare the airplane was caught in a downdraft. The airplane subsequently landed hard and bounced down the runway. On the third oscillation the nose landing gear sheared off before the airplane slid off of the runway and came to rest inverted. The nearest weather reporting system, located about 17 miles to the northwest of the airport, reported wind from 040 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot also reported landing with a slight tailwind.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA445 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 11, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chemehuevi Valley, California
- Nearest airport
- Havasu Palms (N/A)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182K
- N-number
- N2819R
- 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.