# NTSB ATL06CA025: Cessna 172S, N348SP, Mobile, AL, December 13, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 13, 2005, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Mobile, AL - Coordinates: 30.626667, -88.067497 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6267&lon=-88.0675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09 - NTSB case key (mKey): 63011 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63011/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing 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 The student pilot stated, that an approach was made to runway 32 at the Mobile Downtown Airport, Mobile, Alabama (BFM). The student pilot flared the airplane causing it to balloon, and then allowed the airplane to sink down. The student pilot flared it again, and the stall warning horn went off momentarily. The student pilot eased the elevator slightly forward and the airplane landed roughly. According to the student pilot the airplane landed with more weight on the right wheel than on the left. The airplane slowed down and the student pilot pulled back on the yoke to further slow the airplane down. At this point the student pilot noticed roughness with the flight controls. The student pilot taxied to the downtown air center, and parked the airplane. According to the student pilot there were no problems with the flight controls, and no problems with the airplane during the pre-flight inspection. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the flight surfaces were intact. The center section of the airframe, and firewall were buckled. Examination of the propeller revealed it was bent aft. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated, that an approach was made to runway 32 at the Mobile Downtown Airport, Mobile, Alabama (BFM). The student pilot flared the airplane causing it to balloon, and then allowed the airplane to sink down. The student pilot flared it again, and the stall warning horn went off momentarily. The student pilot eased the elevator slightly forward and the airplane landed roughly. According to the student pilot the airplane landed with more weight on the right wheel than on the left. The airplane slowed downed and the student pilot pulled back on the yoke to further slow the airplane down. At this point the student pilot noticed roughness with the flight controls. The student pilot taxied to the downtown air center, and parked the airplane. According to the student pilot there were no problems with the flight controls, and no problems with the airplane during the pre-flight inspection. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the flight surfaces were intact. The center section of the airframe, and firewall were buckled. Examination of the propeller revealed it was bent aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N348SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N348SP), registered now, S/N 172S8273, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258273 - Airframe hours: 892 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Flight Training of Mobile - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005, 91 hours before - Departed: BFM, Mobile, AL - Destination: BFM, Mobile, AL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KBFM, Mobile Downtown Airport, runway 32, 9,618 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BFM ## 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 20051213029849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051213029849A), Dec 13, 2005: Cessna 172S, Mobile, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the student pilot and witness statements she made an approach to runway 32 at bfm. She flared too soon causing the aircraft to bal loon and… 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.