# NTSB CEN12CA194: Cessna 177B, N30770, New Orleans, LA, March 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2012, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: New Orleans, LA - Coordinates: 30.342777, -90.028053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3428&lon=-90.0281&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 83177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83177/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83177 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA194 ## 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. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073708), [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 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. On the second landing, the airplane drifted to the left, so he applied right rudder to correct for the drift. He stated that when he reduced the power to land, the nose of the airplane dropped, and the airplane landed hard and porpoised. The pilot regained control of the airplane and landed on the remaining runway. A postaccident examination revealed that the nose gear was pushed up, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported there were no failures or malfunctions of the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he applied right rudder to correct for the airplane drifting to the left during his second touch and go landing. He stated that when he reduced the power to land, the nose of the airplane dropped, contacting the runway, and the airplane porpoised. The pilot regained control of the airplane and landed on the remaining runway. A postaccident examination revealed that the nose gear was pushed up resulting in substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported there were no failures/malfunction of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30770](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30770-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 17701455, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701455 - Airframe hours: 3514 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Morrison Bryant B - Registered owner: Morrison Bryant B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2012, 8 hours before - Departed: NEW, New Orleans, LA - Destination: NEW, New Orleans, LA - Airport: NEW, Lakefront Airport, runway 18, 6,800 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,931 total, 231 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 150° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: NEW ## 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 20120315003719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120315003719A), Mar 15, 2012: Cessna 177B, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. The weather was good. Pilot had a hard landing on runway 18R while performing a touch and go. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83177. 576 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365041&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.