# NTSB ATL06CA062: Cessna C-172S, N72675, Sanford, NC, April 10, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 10, 2006, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, NC
- Coordinates: 35.934444, -79.054443
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9344&lon=-79.0544&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: Greensboro FSDO-05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA062

## 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 pilot stated that he was returning back to the Sanford-Lee County Airport via the Sandhills VOR. The flight was normal as he approached Sanford for a straight in approach to runway 3.The pilot stated that he "flared the aircraft to high and while compensating the nose dropped and the nose wheel contacted the runway". According to the pilot this introduced a "pilot induced oscillation", and during the second contact with the ground the propeller must have struck the runway.

## Factual narrative

On April 10, 2006, at 1645 eastern daylight time, a Cessna C-172S, N72675, registered to and operated by Chapel Hill flying Club Incorporated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, landed hard at the Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport, Sanford, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated earlier that day from the Florence Regional Airport, Florence, South Carolina.

The pilot stated that he was returning back to the Sanford-Lee County Airport via the Sandhills VOR. The flight was normal as he approached Sanford for a straight in approach to runway 3.The pilot stated that he "flared the aircraft to high and while compensating the nose dropped and the nose wheel contacted the runway". According to the pilot this introduced a "pilot induced oscillation", and during the second contact with the ground the propeller must have struck the runway. After the airplane was taxied back to the ramp the pilot performed a post flight check, and noted that the propeller blade tips were damaged. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector showed the firewall was bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72675](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72675), registered now, S/N 172S8977, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna C-172S
- 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: 172S8977
- Airframe hours: 2286
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chapel Hill Flying Club Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2006, 2,286 hours before
- Departed: FLO, FLORENCE, SC
- Destination: TTA, Sanford-Lee, SC
- Airport: TTA, Sanford-Lee County Regional, runway 3, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 146 total, 38 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: TTA

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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