# NTSB CEN24LA379: Textron 172S, N281EA, Janesville, WI, September 24, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 24, 2024, 16:15 UTC - Place: Janesville, WI - Coordinates: 42.620253, -89.041567 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6203&lon=-89.0416&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA379 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA379 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper flare and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action that resulted in a hard, bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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: [Textron 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072449), [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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the student pilot’s second instructional flight, he performed an uneventful touch and go landing. When the student was on final for his second touch and go landing, about 25 ft above the runway, he initiated an early flare and pitched the airplane down which led to a sharp descent toward the runway. The airplane landed hard and bounced on the runway. The flight instructor took the controls and initiated a go-around. The flight instructor assisted the student on one more touch and go landing, then made a full stop landing. During a post-flight inspection, substantial damage (buckling) was found on the underside of the empennage and the firewall. The flight instructor reported that the accident could have been prevented by initiating a go around earlier. No mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N281EA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N281EA), registered now, S/N 172S13043, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 172S - Registry model: [Textron 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/textron-172s) (registry code 2072449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S13043 - Year built: 2023 - Airframe hours: 849 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: JVL, Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, runway 04, 6,701 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 489 total, 215 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3 total, 3 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KJVL - METAR: KJVL 250415Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM BR CLR 12/12 A2984 RMK AO2 ## 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 20240924017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240924017119A), Sep 24, 2024: Textron Aviation Inc 172S, Janesville, WI, Substantial damage. While conducting instruction to a student pilot the instructor was allowing the student to attempt one of their first landings. The instructor was covering the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195235. 5.3 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN24LA379 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17738390&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN24LA379_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs CEN24LA379 (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17737764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN24LA379-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record photos and substantial damage CEN24LA379 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17738125&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Photos%20and%20Substantial%20Damage%20CEN24LA379_Redacted-Rel.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.