N42184

On July 9, 1998, at 2115 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182L, N42184, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with poles during a landing overrun on runway 26 (3501' x 75', dry/asphalt) at Mackinac Island Airport, on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating on a VFR flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed New Hudson Airport, near New Hudson, Michigan, at 1915.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had selected 20 degrees and 40 degrees of flaps on base and final, respectively. He had flared over the runway numbers and was carried 1/3 down the runway at which point he realized that the flaps were not extended and that the airspeed was approximately 80 KIAS. He had considered a go-around but did not trust his flaps. He also stated that the aircraft touched down 1/2 down the runway and had little braking action due to his speed and the down slope of the runway. In trying to avoid a fence and gravel piles at the end of the runway, he turned the aircraft to the right. The aircraft stopped after impacting with a fence and poles at the northwest corner of the airport.

The pilot told the airport manager that he was 1/2 down the runway when he realized that the flaps were not extended. Examination of the airplane revealed that the flap selector and associated indicator were at 0 degrees. As a functional check, the airport manager successfully cycled the flaps three times through 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees and 40 degrees.

The Cessna 182 owner's manual shows the ground roll distance, at a gross weight of 2800 lbs, an approach speed of 69 mph and a flap setting of 40 degrees at sea level conditions, to be 590 feet. Based upon a conversation with the pilot, the weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident was reported to be less than 2800 lbs.