Cessna 182K accident near Mesa, Arizona, June 28, 2014
On June 28, 2014 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna 182K, registered N3069Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Fld airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's inadequate landing flare which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2014 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182K K, built 1967 · all 182Ks on the register
- Registration
- N3069Q · registry record · serial 18258069
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot stated that the purpose of the solo flight was to perform maneuvers in the local practice area in preparation for an upcoming checkride. After performing a series of maneuvers, the pilot returned to the airport and was cleared to land on the active runway. The pilot noted that during the landing flare she realized the airspeed was higher than desired and responded by manipulating the throttle control. During the landing, the airplane touched down hard and bounced back airborne. The airplane continued to bounce down the runway about 3 to 4 times before coming to a stop. As a result of the impact, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Student/instructed pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 98 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 11 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 30, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFZ Mesa AZ at 6:00 pm
- Destination: FFZ Mesa AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22R, 3,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 6:47 pm from FFZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.