Cessna R182 accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, April 26, 1996
On April 26, 1996 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Cessna R182, registered N2649C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada (Mccarran International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery. Contributing factors were the overload failure of a main landing gear tire which resulted in the pilot's loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 1996 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Las Vegas, Nevada · Mccarran International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R182 · all R182s on the register
- Registration
- N2649C · no longer on the register · serial R18200194
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot made a hard landing on runway 19R, which was 5,002 feet long by 75 feet wide. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced slightly into the air, then a second time, following which the left main landing gear tire blew out. The pilot lost control of the airplane, veered left off the side of the runway, and collided with an airport sign. The FAA coordinator examined the flat tire and opined that its preimpact condition had been satisfactory for use. No defects were observed.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 175 hours in all; 21 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 86 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1996; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: LAS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 19R, 5,002 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.