# NTSB ERA10CA208: Cessna 172P, N5460K, Ft. Pierce, FL, March 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 1, 2010, 15:35 local (20:35 UTC) - Place: Ft. Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.497222, -80.372497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4972&lon=-80.3725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75645 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75645/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75645 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA208 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, resulting in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the certified flight instructor, the student pilot was on approach for landing to runway 10 left. Prior to touchdown the student pilot pulled excessive back pressure on the elevator flight control and the airplane ballooned before touching down hard on the main landing gear. The flight instructor then took over the flight controls, made a go-around, and landed on another runway. The airplane received substantial damage to the rudder torque tube. ## Factual narrative According to the certified flight instructor, the student pilot was on approach for landing to runway 10 left. Prior to touchdown the student pilot pulled excessive back pressure on the elevator flight control and the airplane ballooned before touching down hard on the main landing gear. The certified flight instructor then took over the flight controls, made a go-around, and landed on another runway. The airplane received substantial damage to the rudder torque tube. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5460K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5460K-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 17274126, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274126 - Airframe hours: 12397 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-D2J 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ari Ben Aviator Inc - Registered owner: Ari Ben Aviator Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 13, 2010, 60 hours before - Departed: FPR, Ft. Pierce, FL - Destination: FPR, Ft. Pierce, FL - Airport: FPR, Sant Lucie County Intl, runway 10L, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 9, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 1,140 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 14; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 106 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: FPR ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20100301028499I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100301028499I), Mar 1, 2010: Cessna 172P, Fort Pierce, FL, Minor damage. 3/1/2010 CFI morrison and student [privacy data omitted] were practicing simulated engine out approaches and landings at kpfron 10L. On apporach prior to… ## Other investigations on N5460K (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 ERA11CA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA283), May 3, 2011: Cessna 172P (N5460K), Fort Pierce, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75645. 730 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 730 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328070&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.