# NTSB CEN12CA624: Cessna 172R, N824KS, Salina, KS, September 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2012, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Salina, KS - Coordinates: 38.790554, -97.652221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7906&lon=-97.6522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA624 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85010/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85010 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA624 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's improper flare in gusty wind conditions, 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were practicing takeoffs and landings. During the climb after a stop-and-go landing on the 4,300 foot long runway, the flight instructor reduced the engine power to idle to demonstrate a simulated engine-out landing to the student pilot. The flight instructor reported that the airplane made a rapid descent from about 200 feet above ground level, and then he flared too high; the airplane landed hard on the runway, substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The flight instructor stated that the wind at the time was from about 10 degrees left of the runway heading at 28 knots, gusting to 33 knots. The flight instructor reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing takeoff and landings. After performing a stop-and-go on the 4,300 foot long runway, the CFI pulled the engine back to idle to demonstrate a simulated engine-out landing to the student pilot. The CFI reported that the airplane made a rapid descent from about 200 feet above ground level, he flared too high and the airplane landed hard on the runway. The CFI stated that the wind was 10 degrees from the runway heading, and gusting to 33 knots at the time. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's firewall. The CFI did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N824KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N824KS), registered now, S/N 17280564, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280564 - Airframe hours: 5493 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kansas State University Salina - Registered owner: Kansas State University Salina - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 29, 2012, 22 hours before - Departed: KSLN, Salina, KS - Destination: KSLN, Salina, KS - Airport: KSLN, Salina Municipal Airport, runway 18, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 287 total, 165 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 23 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KSLN ## 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 20120911022109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120911022109A), Sep 11, 2012: Cessna 172R, Salina, KS, Substantial damage. On September 11, 2012, at approximately 1615 local time (2115 UTC), the airman, holder of a certified flight instructor (CFI) certificate with airplane single… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85010. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381910&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.