# NTSB CEN09CA495: Cessna 172S, N401LP, New Braunfels, TX, August 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2009, 10:50 local (15:50 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 September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA495 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74451/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74451 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA495 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare resulting in 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/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: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot, who was on a solo flight, performed two normal takeoffs and landings; however, on the third landing, the airplane hit the runway hard and bounced. Following the second bounce the student initiated a go-around. The student pilot continued around the traffic pattern and did a “normal” landing. An inspection of the airplane, following the accident, revealed that the propeller tips were slightly damaged, the nosewheel tire was flat, and the firewall area sustained structural damage. ## Factual narrative The student pilot, who was on a solo flight, performed two normal take-off and landings; however, on the third landing, the airplane hit the runway hard and bounced. Following the second bounce the student initiated a go-around. The student pilot continued around the traffic pattern and did a “normal” landing. An inspection of the airplane, following the accident, revealed that the propeller tips were slightly damaged, the nosewheel tire was flat, and the firewall area sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N401LP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N401LP), registered now, S/N 172S9401, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 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: 172S9401 - Airframe hours: 2506 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wright Flyers Aviation, Inc - Registered owner: Mustang Sally Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 2009 - Departed: KBAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Destination: KBAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KBAZ, New Braunfels Municipal, runway 17, 5,364 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KBAZ ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74451. 325 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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. --- 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.