# NTSB CEN09CA226: Cessna 172A, N7326T, Corsicana, TX, March 20, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 20, 2009, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Corsicana, TX
- Coordinates: 32.023612, -96.400276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0236&lon=-96.4003&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: Dallas FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA226

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare.

## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 172A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072404), [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 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot made a normal approach to the runway in his single-engine airplane at an airspeed of approximately 70 miles per hour. During the landing flare, the stall horn sounded and the pilot released back pressure on the control wheel. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on the runway and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane skidded across the runway before it came to a complete stop. The pilot was able to safely egress the airplane before it was consumed by postimpact fire.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot made a normal approach to the runway in his single-engine airplane at an airspeed of approximately 70 miles per hour. During the landing flare, the stall horn sounded and the pilot released back pressure on the control wheel. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on the runway and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane skidded across the runway before it came to a complete stop. The pilot was able to safely egress the airplane before it was consumed by post-impact fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7326T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7326T-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 46926, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46926
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: VENABLE JAMES D and Bruce McDonald
- Registered owner: VENABLE JAMES D and Bruce McDonald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2009
- Departed: KCRS, Corsicana, TX
- Destination: KCRS, Corsicana, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KCRS, C. David Campell Field, runway 14

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 50 total, 49 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20090320003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090320003709A), Mar 20, 2009: Cessna 172A, Anchorage, AK, Destroyed. (-23) On 03/20/2009, at 1405 CST, a Cessna C-172, N7326T, registered to [privacy data omitted] was destroyed by post impact fire at corsicana municipal…

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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