# NTSB BFO85LA054: Cessna 172-RG, Thurmont, MD, July 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1985, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Thurmont, MD
- Coordinates: 39.619407, -77.400306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6194&lon=-77.4003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

UPON ENCOUNTERING A LOW CEILING, PRECIPITATION, AND HAZE AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET MSL, THE PLT DESCENDED IN ORDER TO LOCATE A SUITABLE LANDING AREA. THE PLT OBSERVED A GRASS AIRSTRIP BELOW HIM, AND EXECUTED A HARD LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED ONCE, AND DURING THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND WAS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED DOWN THE AIRSTRIP, COMING TO REST ON ITS BOTTOM COWLING AND MAIN GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGFIE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172-RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-RG-0232
- Airframe hours: 1297
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Voyagur Airways, Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 15, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Destination: ART, WATERTOWN, NY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 14 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 42 nm away

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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