# NTSB CEN10CA552: Cessna 172P, N97921, Stow, OH, September 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2010, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Stow, OH - Coordinates: 41.150554, -81.361114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1506&lon=-81.3611&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 May 5, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 77363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA552 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77363/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77363 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA552 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard 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 172P, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was high on final approach and that she initiated a slip in order to lose altitude. During the landing flare, the airplane descended faster than she anticipated and touched down hard, bouncing 4 or 5 times down the runway. The pilot applied brakes and was able to regain control, stopping the airplane on the runway. A postaccident inspection revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane was high on final approach and she initiated a slip in order to lose altitude. She flared the airplane for landing; however, it sank "quickly" and hit the runway "very hard." The airplane subsequently bounced 4 or 5 times. She applied the brakes and was able to regain control. After exiting the airplane, she noticed that the nose wheel was flat. A post accident inspection revealed nose landing gear and firewall damage. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97921](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97921), registered now, S/N 17276240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276240 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kent State University - Registered owner: Kent State University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 1G3, Stow, OH - Destination: 1G3, Stow, OH - Airport: 1G3, Kent State University, runway 19, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 9 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: AKR, 7 nm away ## 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 20100915046469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100915046469A), Sep 15, 2010: Cessna 172P, Stow, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that they were high on final and slipped the airplane to lose altitude. She stated that she must have picked up some airspeed and was fast but… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77363. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.