# NTSB ATL06CA047: Cessna 172 P, N54360, Wilmington, NC, December 27, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 27, 2005, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Coordinates: 34.270557, -77.902496
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2706&lon=-77.9025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FSDO-05 Greensboro
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA047

## Probable cause

The student 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 - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that he departed Kinston with full fuel, and upon final approach to Wilmington International Airport runway 35, he attempted to slow down his approach airspeed. The student pilot stated that when he flared the airplane he "dropped hard on runway 35".  The airplane touched down a second time, and the student pilot that stated he heard the nose wheel tire "pop". The student pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.

## Factual narrative

On December 27, 2005, at 1700 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N54360, registered to and operated by ISO Aero Services of Wilmington Incorporated, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, landed hard on runway 35, at the Wilmington International Airport, Wilmington, North Carolina. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot did not report any injuries.  The flight originated from Kinston Regional Jetport, Kinston, North Carolina on December 27, 2005 at 1600.

The student pilot stated that he departed Kinston with full fuel, and upon final approach to Wilmington International Airport, runway 35 he attempted to slow down his approach airspeed. The student pilot stated when he flared the airplane he "dropped hard on runway 35".  The airplane touched down a second time, and the student pilot stated he heard the nose wheel tire "pop". The student pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident. The accident was reported to NTSB on March 3, 2006. Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector showed the firewall of the airplane was bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54360](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54360), registered now, S/N 17274963, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172 P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274963
- Airframe hours: 11185.7
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Iso Aero Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005, 55.7 hours before
- Departed: KISO, KINSTON, NC
- Destination: KILM, Wilmington, NC
- Airport: KILM, Wilmington International, runway 35, 7,004 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 43; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 98 total, 93 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KILM

## 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 20051227033069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051227033069A), Dec 27, 2005: Cessna 172P, Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 27, 2005, airman was returning from kinston, NC (iso) to Wilmington, NC (ilm). The student pilot made a hard landing which flattened the nose…

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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