# NTSB CEN09CA458: Cessna 172M, N5556S, New Braunfels, TX, July 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 18, 2009, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.702777, -98.038612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7028&lon=-98.0386&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA458
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74350/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74350
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA458

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.

## 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: [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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot approached the runway with a slightly higher than normal approach speed, which resulted in the airplane bouncing several times on the runway before coming to a full stop. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was wrinkled and the nose gear was bent. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and that a go-around should have been performed.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot approached the runway with a slightly higher than normal approach speed, which resulted in the airplane bouncing several times on the runway before coming to a full stop. Examination of the airplane revealed the firewall was wrinkled and the nose gear was bent. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and that a go-around should have been performed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5556S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Academy Of America Inc
- Registered owner: Aviation Academy Of America Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX
- Destination: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX
- Airport: BAZ, New Braunfels, runway 17

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 49 total, 44 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 20090718011869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090718011869A), Jul 18, 2009: Cessna 172M, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. While attempting to land, the pilot of N5556S, failed to use the proper approach speed and failed to maintain a proper pitch attitude to accomplish a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74350. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- CFI written statement (item 2, .PDF, 537 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20written%20statement-Redacted.PDF

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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