# NTSB CEN09CA217: Cessna 172R, N2382R, Lafayette, IN, March 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2009, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lafayette, IN - Coordinates: 40.412498, -86.936943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4125&lon=-86.9369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73506/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA217 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare. Contributing to the accident were the wind gusts. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while performing a touch-and-go landing, a gust of wind turned the airplane. He stated that he applied some power and straightened the airplane out, but that the airplane came down hard, bouncing several times and collapsing the nose landing gear before the airplane came to a stop. The firewall and fuselage skins showed evidence of buckling. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while performing a touch and go landing, a gust of wind turned the airplane. He stated that he applied some power and straightened the airplane but the airplane came down hard and bounced. He stated that the airplane bounced several times and then came down hard on the nose landing gear. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to a stop. The firewall and fuselage skins showed evidence of buckling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2382R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2382R), registered now, S/N 17280700, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280700 - Airframe hours: 3395 - Engines: LYCOMING I0-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAF, Lafayette, IN - Destination: LAF, Lafayette, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: LAF, Purdue University Airport, runway 23, 4,225 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAF ## 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 20090317011339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090317011339A), Mar 17, 2009: Cessna 172R, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was attempting his first landing of the afternoon on runway 23. During the flare, the pilot experienced a gust of wind that displaced the… ## Other investigations on N2382R (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA17LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA095), Jan 26, 2017: Cessna 172 (N2382R), Clearwater, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in damage to the engine firewall. 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.