# NTSB ATL05CA015: Cessna 172SP, N37CJ, West Columbia, SC, October 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2004, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: West Columbia, SC - Coordinates: 33.938888, -81.119445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9389&lon=-81.1194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60531 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60531/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA015 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A factor was the runway sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The student pilot stated that during the touchdown, the airplane then "abruptly bounced" on the runway. He stated that he then increased engine power in an attempt to control the descent, but his efforts failed and the airplane bounced on the runway and became more difficult to control. The certified flight instructor of the student pilot, who was watching the flight from the ramp, stated that the on the second landing, the airplane "appeared to touch down hard and begin porpoise effect." The student pilot stated that the airplane then veered left of the runway centerline and departed the runway surface into a grassy area. He stated that he continued to apply right rudder and brakes, but was unable to avoid colliding with a runway sign. When the airplane came to a complete stop, the student pilot shut off the mixture control and fuel supply, retracted the flaps, radioed the tower, shut down the ignition and master switches, and waited for assistance. Post examination of the wreckage revealed that the lower portion of the firewall was buckled, and the nose gear was damaged. The student pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 2004, at 1600 eastern daylight time, N37CJ, a Cessna 172SP, registered to and operated by Eagle Aviation, Inc., collided with an airport sign after veering left off of runway 5 during an attempted landing at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, West Columbia, South Carolina. The solo instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, West Columbia, South Carolina, on October 20, 2004, at 1550. According to the student pilot, this was his first solo flight, but he and his flight instructor had flown in the traffic pattern together prior to the accident flight. The student pilot stated that after the dual flight, he and his instructor discussed the procedures for the solo flight once more, and his instructor endorsed his pilot logbook and student pilot certificate for the solo flight. He stated that his instructor exited the airplane, he contacted ground control, taxied the airplane to runway 5, and was given clearance to take-off. He stated the first traffic pattern was routine and the first full-stop landing was smooth. He stated he was cleared for take-off on runway 5 a second time, and the second traffic pattern and approach were "normal" and stabilized. The student pilot stated that during the touchdown, the airplane then "abruptly bounced" on the runway. He stated that he then increased engine power in an attempt to control the descent, but his efforts failed and the airplane bounced on the runway and became more difficult to control. The certified flight instructor of the student pilot, who was watching the flight from the ramp, stated that the on the second landing, the airplane "appeared to touch down hard and begin porpoise effect." The student pilot stated that the airplane then veered left of the runway centerline and departed the runway surface into a grassy area. He stated that he continued to apply right rudder and brakes, but was unable to avoid colliding with a runway sign. When the airplane came to a complete stop, the student pilot shut off the mixture control and fuel supply, retracted the flaps, radioed the tower, shut down the ignition and master switches, and waited for assistance. Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the lower portion of the firewall was buckled, and the nose landing gear was displaced. The student pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37CJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N37CJ), registered now, S/N 172S8232, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172SP - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8232 - Airframe hours: 1519 - Engines: Aero Engines IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eagle Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 2004, 50 hours before - Departed: KCAE, West Columbia, SC - Airport: KCAE, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, runway 5, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KCAE ## 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 20041020026069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041020026069A), Oct 20, 2004: Cessna 172S, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing on rwy 05 at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (cae), Columbia, SC, the aircraft bounced several times, veered off the left side of the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.