# NTSB CHI02LA291: Cessna 172S, N784SA, Boyne Falls, MI, September 21, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2002, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Boyne Falls, MI
- Coordinates: 45.159843, -84.910392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1598&lon=-84.9104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA291

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane sustained substantial damage during a hard landing.  The pilot reported he landed on the center of runway 35 (5,200 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) about 800 feet from the beginning of the runway.  He reported, "I did not feel or hear any striking of the prop on the runway.  I felt that I simply flared too high, floated, and landed hard.  I bounced once, added a little power, and landed properly.  It was not until later that it was discovered the propeller tip was bent and that the nose wheel probably was the first to hit the runway."

## Factual narrative

On September 21, 2002, at 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N784SA, sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall during a hard landing at Boyne Mountain Airport (BFA), Boyne Falls, Michigan.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Tulip City Airport (BIV), Holland, Michigan, at 1530, and was making a full stop landing at BFA.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported he landed on the center of runway 35 (5,200 feet by 60 feet, asphalt) about 800 feet from the beginning of the runway.  He reported, "I did not feel or hear any striking of the prop on the runway.  I felt that I simply flared too high, floated, and landed hard.  I bounced once, added a little power, and landed properly.  It was not until later that it was discovered the propeller tip was bent and that the nose wheel probably was the first to hit the runway."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N784SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N784SA), registered now, S/N 172S8780, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258780
- Airframe hours: 501
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tulip City Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BIV, HOLLAND, MI
- Destination: BFA, Boyne Falls, MI
- Airport: BFA, Boyne Mountain Airport, runway 35, 5,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 97 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 170 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 20020921024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020921024479A), Sep 21, 2002: Cessna 172S, Boyne Falls, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot landed hard on rwy 35 at Boyne Falls, MI. (Kbfa). Phone call on 9-24-02 with pilot confirmed the hard landing and maint. Inspector miller of the…

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.

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