# NTSB CHI03LA260: Cessna 172L, N7054Q, Harvard, IL, August 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2003, 19:50 local (Aug 14, 2003, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Harvard, IL - Coordinates: 42.406944, -88.633613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4069&lon=-88.6336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 57701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA260 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare which led to a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The airplane nosed over following a hard landing during a solo instructional flight. The pilot practiced several takeoffs and landings with his instructor. The flight instructor then exited the airplane and he made two uneventful solo landings. The accident occurred on the third landing. The pilot stated that he closed the throttle when he reached his "aim point" on the airstrip. He stated the airplane then dropped from an altitude of about 8 feet, landing on the nose wheel. The airplane bounced and came down again at which time the nose gear collapsed. The propeller contacted the ground and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2003, at 1950 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N7054Q, nosed over while landing on runway 09 (3,589 feet by 100 feet, grass) at the Dacy Airport (0C0), Harvard, Illinois. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated at 0C0 at 1830. The student pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings. He stated he performed three takeoffs and landings with his flight instructor in the airplane. The flight instructor then exited the airplane and he continued to practice takeoffs and landings. He stated he made two uneventful landings and the accident happened on the third landing. The pilot stated that he closed the throttle when he reached his "aim point" on the airstrip. He stated the airplane then dropped from an altitude of about 8 feet, landing on the nose wheel. The airplane bounced and came down again at which time the nose gear collapsed. The propeller contacted the ground and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated a groove was visible in the airstrip were the nose wheel made the initial contact. The nose gear separated from the airplane and was found between the initial contact point and the final resting place of airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7054Q (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260354 - Airframe hours: 6200 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mag-Aero - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2003, 92 hours before - Departed: 0C0, Harvard, IL - Destination: 0C0, Harvard, IL - Airport: 0C0, Dacy, runway 09, 3,589 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 34 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 29 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 20030813023449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030813023449A), Aug 13, 2003: Cessna 172L, Harvard, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was on approach. Thought he was too low, added power, cleared a corn field. He then reduced power to idle. Aircraft settled and struck nose first.… 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.