# NTSB DEN05CA145: Cessna 172S, N172GW, Cedar City, UT, September 20, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2005, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Cedar City, UT
- Coordinates: 37.700832, -113.098609
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7008&lon=-113.0986&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62556/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA145

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing.  Factors contributing to the accident were the improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

During the landing, the airplane touched down, bounced, and landed hard on the nose wheel.  The flight instructor was watching his student's solo flight.   The instructor stated the airplane flared, and the main landing gear touched down onto the runway.   After touchdown, the airplane "ballooned up," bounced twice, and the nose of the airplane went forward and struck the runway.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172GW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N172GW), registered now, S/N 172S8289, built 1999 (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: 172S8289
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pro-Air Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CDC, Cedar City, UT
- Destination: CDC, Cedar City, UT
- Airport: CDC, Cedar City Muni, runway 26

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20050920023439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050920023439A), Sep 20, 2005: Cessna 172S, Cedar City, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) As the aircraft flared for touchdown the nose ballooned up and the pilot pushed the nose over. The aircraft hit hard on the nosewheel bending 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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