# NTSB CEN10CA336: Cessna 172N, N1061X, Maryland Heights, MO, June 21, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 21, 2010, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Maryland Heights, MO
- Coordinates: 38.726665, -90.508056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7267&lon=-90.5081&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 October 21, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA St Louis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76397/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76397
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA336

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [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 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings and that the first two landing were normal. On the third landing the airplane landed hard and bounced, so the pilot performed a go-around. The subsequent landing was good, but the pilot noticed a shimmy in the nosewheel. Postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that the nosewheel bearing and firewall were damaged.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoff and landings. The first two landings were good. On the third landing the airplane landed hard and bounced, so the pilot performed a go-around. The subsequent landing was good, but the nose wheel had a shimmy. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel bearing and firewall were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1061X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1061X), registered now, S/N 172-69458, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-69458
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: High Altitude Flying Club LLC
- Registered owner: High Altitude Flying Club LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1H0, Creve Coeur, MO
- Destination: 1H0, Creve Coeur, MO
- Airport: 1H0, Creve Coeur Airport, runway 34, 4,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 153 total, 38 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76397. 684 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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