NTSB Factual Report

On July 30, 2012, about 1345 mountain daylight time, a Cessna model 182G airplane, N3198S, was substantially damaged while landing at Montrose Regional Airport (KMTJ), Montrose, Colorado. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Grand Junction Regional Airport (KGJT), Grand Junction, Colorado, about 1315.

The pilot reported that the airplane bounced upon touchdown on runway 35 (10,000 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) and that she initially believed it would settle back onto the runway without further incident. However, the airplane landed hard and bounced for a second time. The pilot responded with a small increase in engine power in an attempt to regain control, but the airplane impacted nose wheel first and began to porpoise. The pilot reported that the subsequent 2 to 3 landings were progressively harder and each involved the nose wheel touching down before the main landing gear. The airplane eventually came to rest near the right edge of the runway in a nose down attitude. The fuselage and firewall were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

At 1353, the airport's automatic weather observing station reported the following weather conditions: wind from 330 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 31 degrees Celsius, dew point 11 degrees Celsius, altimeter 30.25 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.