# NTSB DFW08CA021: Cessna 172, N5181A, Stillwater, OK, October 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2007, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Stillwater, OK - Coordinates: 36.161109, -97.085556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1611&lon=-97.0856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - NTSB case key (mKey): 66996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66996/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA021 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The 28-hour student pilot landed hard and encountered a porpoise while performing a touch-and-go landing on Runway 35. The pilot reported that on this approach, he had been instructed to follow a twin-engine airplane on final approach and he maintained a final approach speed that was 10 knots higher than normal. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and the airplane entered porpoise, touching down several times. During one of the landings, the airplane pivoted enough to allow the propeller to contact the runway. In the completed NTSB Form 6120 provided by the student pilot, he recommended that to prevent further accidents, ATC controllers should not place student pilots between faster aircraft in the traffic pattern, where the student pilots may feel rushed. The pilot also recommended additional training in straight-in approaches. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 060 degrees at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative The 28-hour student pilot landed hard and encountered porpoise while performing a touch-and-go landing on Runway 35. The pilot reported that on this approach, he had been instructed to follow a twin-engine airplane on final approach and he maintained a final approach speed that was 10 knots higher than normal. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and the airplane entered porpoise, touching down several times. During one of the landings, the airplane pivoted enough to allow the propeller to contact the runway. In the completed NTSB Form 6120 provided by the student pilot, he recommended that to prevent further accidents, ATC controllers should not place student pilots between faster aircraft in the traffic pattern, where the student pilots may feel rushed. The pilot also recommended additional training in straight-in approaches. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 060 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5181A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5181A), registered now, S/N 17281102, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17281102 - Airframe hours: 3225 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Southeastern Oklahoma State University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 2007 - Departed: PVJ, PAULS VALLEY, OK - Destination: SWO, STILLWATER, OK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SWO, Stillwater Muni, runway 35, 7,401 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: SWO ## 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 20071026023029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071026023029A), Oct 26, 2007: Cessna 172R, Stillwater, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot and sole occupant of the airplane, [privacy data omitted] stated that he was attempting to land at the Stillwater Regional Airport, but he was… ## Other investigations on N5181A (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN25LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA350), Aug 28, 2025: Cessna 172R (N5181A), Ardmore, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. 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.