# NTSB ERA11CA223: Cessna 177, Columbia, SC, April 1, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 1, 2011, 18:56 local (22:56 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Coordinates: 33.938888, -81.118331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9389&lon=-81.1183&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 June 20, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78742/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78742
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA223

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he flew a normal approach, but during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and bounced hard. When it did, he heard a "clunk." The airplane then bounced again before he made a final landing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-existing mechanical anomalies.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he flew a "normal" approach to runway 29, but during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and bounced "hard." When it did, the pilot heard a "clunk." The airplane then bounced again before the pilot made a final landing. Post-flight examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-existing mechanical anomalies. Winds, recorded at the airport about the time of the accident, were from 270 degrees true at 17, gusting to 20 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: C-FFIP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0498
- Airframe hours: 2534
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francios Tessier
- Registered owner: Francios Tessier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 2010
- Departed: CWV, Claxton, GA
- Destination: CAE, Columbia, SC
- Airport: CAE, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, runway 29, 8,601 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 298 total, 190 in this make and model, 198 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 17 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observed at: CAE

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78742. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346354&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346355&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record-Master.PDF
- Weather Observations - CAE (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations%20-%20CAE-Master.PDF
- Accident Photographs (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 852 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Master.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.

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