# NTSB ERA12CA404: Cessna 172K, N78794, Tupelo, MS, June 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2012, 20:15 local (Jun 15, 2012, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Tupelo, MS - Coordinates: 34.268054, -88.769721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2681&lon=-88.7697&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 November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 84022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA404 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84022/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84022 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA404 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced 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 172K, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072430), [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: [Cessna 172K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he arrived at the airport late in the day but still under daylight conditions, and the runway lights were illuminated. On approach, the wind was calm. The pilot maintained his target approach airspeed with 30 degrees of flaps. Once over the runway, the airplane floated about 1,000 feet. Upon touchdown, the airplane bounced twice with the pilot maintaining the same yoke position. After the second bounce, the pilot thought about adding power, but events were occurring too rapidly. The airplane then touched down hard, the nose landing gear separated from the airframe, and the airplane slid to a stop, sustaining substantial damage to the firewall. Neither the pilot nor the passenger reported any preexisting mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the airplane arrived at the cross country airport late in the day, but still under daylight conditions with the runway lights illuminated. Winds were calm. The pilot maintained his target approach airspeed at 30 degrees' flaps; however, once over the runway, the airplane floated about 1,000 feet. The airplane then bounced twice with the pilot maintaining the same yoke position. After the second bounce, the pilot thought about adding power, but events were occurring too rapidly. Instead, the airplane descended again to the runway; the nose landing gear separated from the airframe, damaging the engine firewall; and the airplane slid to a stop. Neither the pilot nor the passenger reported any preexisting mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78794](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78794-2013-08-09), registration cancelled 2013-08-09, S/N 17257764, built 1968 (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: 17257764 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OLV, Olive Branch, MS - Destination: TUP, Tupelo, MS - Airport: TUP, Tupelo Regional Airport, runway 36, 6,502 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 50 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUP ## 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 20120614012299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120614012299A), Jun 14, 2012: Cessna 172K, Tupelo, MS, Substantial damage. On June 14, 2012 at approximately 2000 local time a Cessna 172 was cleared to land on runway 36 in Tupelo, Mississippi. The pilot reported that during a night… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84022. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371484&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Additional Signature Page - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Signature%20Page%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 4, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-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.