# NTSB ERA11CA181: Cessna 172K, N84867, Ocracoke, NC, March 5, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2011, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Ocracoke, NC - Coordinates: 35.100555, -75.959442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1006&lon=-75.9594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78498/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78498 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA181 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate flare and failure to regain control of the airplane while attempting to recover from bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he maneuvered the airplane for an approach to the runway and was compensating for a crosswind. While over the approach end of the runway, about 20 feet above the ground, the airplane descended rapidly and touched down hard. As the airplane bounced back airborne, the pilot attempted to recover by applying full engine power and it started to accelerate. Before sufficient altitude was gained, the wind pushed the airplane to the left into bushes located about 30 feet off the runway. The airplane came to a full stop just short of mid field. The left side of the fuselage and left wing incurred substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he maneuvered the airplane for an approach to the runway and was compensating for a crosswind. He said that while over of the approach end of the runway, about 20 feet above the ground, the bottom seemed to drop out and the airplane slammed onto the runway and bounced back into the air. To recover, the pilot applied full engine power and the airplane started to accelerate, but before sufficient altitude was gained the wind pushed the airplane to the left into bushes located about 30 feet to the side of the runway. The airplane came to a full stop just short of mid field. The left side of the fuselage and left wing incurred substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions or any of the airplane’s systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N84867](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84867-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 17258645, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258645 - Airframe hours: 8433 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 2010 - Departed: MQI, Manteo, NC - Destination: W95, Ocracoke, NC - Airport: W95, Ocracoke Island, runway 06, 2,999 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 184 total, 184 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 149° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: HSE, 19 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 20110305003669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110305003669A), Mar 5, 2011: Cessna 172K, Okracoke, NC, Substantial damage. This was a personal flight from manteo (mqi) to ocracoke Island (W95) in Cessna 172 N84867. A distance of approximately 50 nautical miles. The AWOS at billy… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78498. 716 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 716 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40345106&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.