# NTSB ERA12CA439: Cessna 172S, N387AF, Frederick, MD, June 17, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2012, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Frederick, MD - Coordinates: 39.417499, -77.374443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4175&lon=-77.3744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 84271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA439 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA439 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: [Cessna 172S, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072439), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, his intent was to remain in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings on runway 23. During final approach, he had trouble maintaining alignment with the runway centerline. He applied power to correct the drift; however, the airplane impacted the runway left of centerline. The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, his intent was to remain in the traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings on runway 23. During final approach he had trouble maintaining alignment with the runway centerline. He applied power to correct the drift; however, the airplane impacted the runway, left of centerline. The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. The wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 160 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N387AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N387AF), registered now, S/N 172S10387, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10387 - Airframe hours: 2159 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kaufman Air Inc - Registered owner: Kaufman Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2012, 20 hours before - Departed: FDK, Frederick, MD - Destination: FDK, Frederick, MD - Airport: FDK, Frederick, runway 23, 5,219 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 31 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: FDK ## 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 20120617013559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120617013559A), Jun 17, 2012: Cessna 172S, Frederick, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing touch and go's at fdk rwy 23. Aircraft made hard landing, causing structural damage to the aircraft. ## Other investigations on N387AF (2) 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 WPR26FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA232), Jun 24, 2026: Cessna 172 (N387AF), Willard, UT, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing - [NTSB ERA10CA468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA468), Aug 25, 2010: Cessna 172S (N387AF), Frederick, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: Undetermined. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84271. 1.6 MB in all. - Miscellaneous (Pilot Statement) (item 1, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20(Pilot%20Statement)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1 (View of Damage) Courtesy of the FAA (item 3, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(View%20of%20Damage)%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 4, .PDF, 935 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374121&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.