# NTSB CEN10LA563: Cessna 172S, N2459K, Longmont, CO, September 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 2010, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Longmont, CO - Coordinates: 40.163612, -105.163055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1636&lon=-105.1631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 77413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA563 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77413/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77413 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA563 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare and improper recovery from a bounced 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 172S, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, while on final approach to the runway and with the flaps positioned at 30 degrees, the airplane was high and fast. The airplane bounced during the landing, the pilot attempted an unsuccessful recovery. The airplane bounced again and the pilot initiated a go-around. He performed an uneventful second landing to the runway. After landing, damage to the propeller tips was observed and further examination revealed that the firewall was buckled. The pilot later informed the operator that the airplane was high and fast on final approach. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 2010, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N2459K, operated by McAir Aviation, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it made a hard landing at Vance Brand Airport (LMO), Longmont, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers on board the airplane were not injured. The local flight originated at Rocky Mountain Airport (BJC), Broomfield, Colorado, approximately 0930. According to the pilot's accident report, she intended to make a full-stop landing at LMO before returning to BJC. On final approach to runway 29 with an inoperative VASI (visual approach slope indicator), the flaps were positioned at 30 degrees, but the airplane was high and fast. The airplane touched down and bounced. The pilot corrected by adding power and pitching down but overcompensated, and the airplane bounced again. Full power was applied and the pilot made a go-around. The second landing was successful and the pilot returned to BJC. No RPM loss noticed during the return flight. After landing at BJC, damage to the propeller tips was noticed. Further examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall was buckled, The pilot later told the operator that she was "high and fast" on final at LMO. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2459K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2459K-2018-01-02), registration cancelled 2018-01-02, S/N 172S10034, built 2005 (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: 172S-10034 - Airframe hours: 2163 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: McAir Aviation - Registered owner: Rigel Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 2010, 4 hours before - Departed: BJC, Broomfield, CO - Destination: BJC, Broomfield, CO - Airport: LMO, Vance Brand, runway 29, 4,800 × 75 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 78 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 16 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 20100922046759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100922046759A), Sep 22, 2010: Cessna 172S, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. On 09/22/2010 at approx 0915 local time N2459K, a Cessna 172S was substanially damaged during a landing at Longmont, CO. The private pilot and 2 passengers on… ## Other investigations on N2459K (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR13FA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA254), May 31, 2013: Cessna 172S (N2459K), Anthem, AZ, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout in a known training area where multiple aircraft frequently operated, which resulted in a midair collision. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77413. 151 KB in all. - NTSB Form 6120 1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%201-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337478&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.