# NTSB ERA13CA146: Cessna 172P, N98598, Valparaiso, FL, February 18, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 18, 2013, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Valparaiso, FL - Coordinates: 30.483055, -86.526107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4831&lon=-86.5261&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86306/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86306 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA146 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions. ## 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: [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) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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 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 Following a brief local flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern at his home airport. While on final approach to the runway, the pilot noted a gusting crosswind and elected to approach the runway at an airspeed of 70 knots, instead of the typical 60 knots. The airplane touched down on the runway, ballooned to a height of about 10 feet, then bounced twice more before it settled onto the runway. The pilot taxied off the runway and shut down the engine. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The reported wind at the airport about the time of the accident was a left quartering headwind at 15 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative Following a brief local flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern at his home airport. While on final approach to the runway, the pilot noted the gusting crosswind and elected to approach the runway at an airspeed of 70 knots, instead of the typical 60 knots. The airplane touched down on the runway, ballooned to a height of approximately 10 feet, and then bounced twice more before it settled onto the runway. The pilot suspected that the nose landing gear tire had ruptured, taxied off the runway, and shutdown the engine. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s firewall was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport about the time of the accident was from left quartering headwind at 15 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98598](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98598-2022-04-14), registration cancelled 2022-04-14, S/N 17276320, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276320 - Airframe hours: 5291 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Eglin AFB Aero Club - Registered owner: United States Air Force - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 2, 2012 - Departed: VPS, Valparaiso, FL - Destination: VPS, Valparaiso, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: VPS, Eglin Air Force Base, runway 19, 10,012 × 300 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 13, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 338 total, 36 in this make and model, 289 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KVPS ## 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 20130218003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130218003189A), Feb 18, 2013: Cessna 172P, Valparaiso, FL, Substantial damage. On 18 February 2013, at approximately 1330L, a Cessna 172P, N98598, experienced a hard landing at Eglin Afb, Florida (kvps). An investigation of the accident… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86306. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 921 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record: Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20Pilot-Master.PDF - VPS Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=VPS%20Weather%20Observations-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. --- 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.