# NTSB CEN12CA620: Cessna 172H, N2484L, Phillipsburg, OH, September 9, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2012, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Phillipsburg, OH - Coordinates: 39.913055, -84.400276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9131&lon=-84.4003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 84990 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA620 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84990/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84990 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA620 ## 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 172H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072424), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072424), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the final approach to the runway, the pilot flared too high. He stated that as he released back pressure on the flight controls and added power, the nose of the airplane dropped and hit the runway hard. An examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall was wrinkled. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During the final approach to the runway, the pilot initiated his flare too high. He stated that as he released back pressure on the flight controls and added power, the nose of the airplane dropped and the hit the runway. An examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall was wrinkled. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2484L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2484L), registered now, S/N 17255684 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255684 - Airframe hours: 3642 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2011 - Departed: KGAS, Gallipolis, OH - Destination: K3I7, Phillipsburg, OH - Airport: K3I7, Phillipsburg Airport, runway 03, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 156 total, 105 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KDAY, 8 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 20120909023849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120909023849A), Sep 9, 2012: Cessna 172H, Phillipsburg, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot pulled power to idle and lost control of the aircraft. (Stall)aircraft dropped about 3 to 5 feet to the runway resulting in a hard landing and bounce.… ## Other investigations on N2484L (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 CHI89LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA171), Aug 15, 1989: Cessna 172H (N2484L), Lake Village, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL/FUEL SYSTEM AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84990. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377337&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.