# NTSB ATL01LA086: Cessna R172-K, N1278V, Culebras Island, PR, June 2, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 2001, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Culebras Island, PR
- Coordinates: 18.221506, -66.589698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2215&lon=-66.5897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: SAN JUAN FSDO-21
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52862/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA086

## Probable cause

Pilots improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A Cessna R172-K was on approach to Flamenco Beach when the pilot reported that he encountered a downdraft approximately 15 feet over the runway. The pilot stated, that the downdraft pushed the airplane down hard onto the runway. A review of the weather data did not reveal any gust or downdrafts in the area at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed the lower part of the engine firewall was buckled, as well as the area underneath the fuselage behind the firewall.

## Factual narrative

On June 2, 2001, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna R172-K, N1278V, registered to and operated by the private pilot, experienced a hard  landing at Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport, Culebras Island, Puerto Rico. The personal flight was operated  under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Culebras Island, Puerto Rico, at 1340.

According to the pilot,  he was on approach to Flamenco Beach when he encountered a downdraft approximately 15 feet over the runway. He stated," that the downdraft pushed the airplane down hard onto the runway." After the hard landing he inspected the airplane and found no visible damage to the landing gear, wheel pants or fairings. Weather data did not reveal any gust or downdrafts in the area at the time of the accident.

Examination of the airplane revealed that the lower part of the engine firewall was buckled, with buckling of the skin under the fuselage behind the firewall. A review of the FAA form 337 repair, showed that the lower firewall assembly,  stringer assembly and the lower engine mount on the left hand side had been replaced. There were no mechanical problems reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1278V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1278V-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N R1722158, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna R172-K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722158
- Airframe hours: 3768
- Engines: Continental IO-360-K-1 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jose Ramos
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2001, 68 hours before
- Departed: CPX, CULEBRAS ISLAND, PR
- Destination: CPX, Culebras Island, PR
- Airport: CPX, Benjamin Rivera Noriega, runway 13, 2,600 × 60 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 159 total, 91 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20010602021399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010602021399A), Jun 2, 2001: Cessna R172K, Isla De Culebra, PR, No damage. (-23) On June 2, 2001, around 2:00 pm - aircraft N1278V experienced a hard landing at Culebra island airport, puerto rico, resulting in substantial damage to…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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