Summary
On September 05, 2011, a Cessna 182D (N8772X) was involved in an incident near Roundup, MT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during the landing flare.
The pilot reported that prior to landing on a dirt road; he overflew the area, noting a group of cows nearby prior to entering a left-hand pattern for his intended landing area. During the landing flare, the pilot observed a cow approaching the flight path of the airplane from his left to right and attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid a collision. Subsequently, the left main landing gear struck the cow and the airplane immediately veered to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to the left, landed hard, bounced, and settled back onto the ground. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to the left elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and engine firewall.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR11CA439. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8772X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during the landing flare.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that prior to landing on a dirt road; he overflew the area, noting a group of cows nearby prior to entering a left-hand pattern for his intended landing area. During the landing flare, the pilot observed a cow approaching the flight path of the airplane from his left to right and attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid a collision. Subsequently, the left main landing gear struck the cow and the airplane immediately veered to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to the left, landed hard, bounced, and settled back onto the ground. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed structural damage to the left elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and engine firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA439