NTSB Factual Report

On July 29, 2003, about 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N460JH, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the airplane flipped over when the airplane's nose gear collapsed during a landing at a private airstrip near New Era, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Oceana County Airport (C04), near Hart/Shelby, Michigan, at 1130 and was performing a landing at the private airstrip at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated:

I left in my aircraft from my home base of C04 to fly out to my

private grass strip for a visit. The approach was normal with full

flaps and the nose trimmed slightly high. Upon touchdown the

nose wheel collapsed and the aircraft pitched down and the prop

dug in. Then the airplane flipped on its back.

At 1055, the recorded Muskegon County Airport, near Muskegon, Michigan, weather was: Wind variable at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 24 degrees C; dew point 13 degrees C; altimeter 30.05 inches of mercury.

The pilot's report did not list any mechanical malfunctions occurring during the accident flight.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the airplane wreckage and no pre-existing anomalies were detected.

The pilot reported:

This aircraft had ... [an inertia] reel shoulder harness system

installed ... and I walked away with just a scratch on my arm. I

highly recommend them in any aircraft with just a lap belt installed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudged flare which led to a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the landing gear.