N3191R

On December 16, 2003, at 1645 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182L, N3191R, registered to and operated by Knoxville Flyers Inc., collided with the ground during a landing on runway 23R, at McGhee Tyson International Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. The business flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee, on December 16, 2003 at 1630.

The airplane was being flown to McGhee Tyson International Airport for an annual inspection. At 1600, the pilot checked the McGhee Tyson Airport weather, which reported that the winds were 230-degrees at 16 knots gusting to 24 knots. The pilot made a normal takeoff from Knoxville Downtown Airport at 1630. At that time, the pilot checked the McGhee Tyson Airport information which stated that the winds were 210-degrees and variable, at 15 knots and gusting. The airport information also revealed that there was a wind shear alert in effect. The pilot stated that the flight was vectored to runway 23R, and while on the approach to land the flight encountered turbulent weather conditions. During the landing flare, the flight encountered a wind gust, and the airplane climbed several feet higher above the ground, and the airplane was slammed onto the runway and bounced a few times.

The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident. After the accident, the airplane was taxied to the parking area and shutdown with no problems noted. The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall was buckled.