Probable cause
The pilot's improper pitch attitude during the soft-field landing roll, which resulted in the tail striking the runway.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he touched down on the rough, turf surface runway and utilized a soft-field landing technique. He recalled, that during the landing roll, he held the nose landing gear off the runway until the airplane's groundspeed decreased to 20 knots. Shortly after contacting the ground, the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane's aft fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA254 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 22, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Clearwater, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Toketee State (3S6)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna 182
- N-number
- N9747H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- 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.