Register

My Worst Landing

Pilots generally remember their landings, sometimes for years. They come in two basic flavors: best ones and worst ones. Everything else tends to fall into a memory-based black hole. My best ones are too numerous to mention, naturally, but my worst ones stick around in my memory like poor weather at the beach. One bad landing in particular stands out.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot recounts his "worst landing ever" in a Cessna 182, which involved multiple energetic bounces after touchdown, while transporting passengers.
  • The cause of the poor landing was the pilot over-pitching the aircraft during the flare.
  • This error occurred because the pilot was unprepared for the increased pitch authority of the C182 when loaded with rear passengers, a departure from its usual nose-heavy feel with only two people.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Pilots generally remember their landings, sometimes for years. They come in two basic flavors: best ones and worst ones. Everything else tends to fall into a memory-based black hole. My best ones are too numerous to mention, naturally, but my worst ones stick around in my memory like poor weather at the beach. One bad landing in particular stands out.

The days mission was to transport the girlfriend and another couple to a beach for the day. We had chosen my flying clubs Cessna 182 and a no-services paved strip right on the beach. The flight down was uneventful, and I planned the approach from over the water as suggested by the windsock, which was showing an onshore breeze. Up to the touchdown, everything was perfectly normal.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE