# NTSB ERA13CA154: Cessna 172P, N89847, Bardstown, KY, March 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2013, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Bardstown, KY - Coordinates: 37.808612, -85.493057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8086&lon=-85.4931&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 86353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86353/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86353 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA154 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper flare during a crosswind landing, 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 · Incorrect use/operation (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 · Student/instructed 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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); 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 According to the student pilot, who was on his first solo cross-country flight, wind at the destination airport was from 120 degrees at 6 knots, so he chose to land on runway 20. Abeam the intended point of landing, the student pilot reduced power, added 10 degrees of flaps, and obtained the desired descent airspeed. He maintained that airspeed on the base leg, and, turning onto final, noted that the airplane was high. The student pilot then lowered the flaps completely while continuing to maintain the desired approach airspeed. The student pilot stated that, shortly afterward, the airplane “ballooned,” and then “dropped immediately” and impacted the runway in a nose-low attitude. He reported that the stall warning horn sounded from "slightly before” the airplane “ballooned” until it impacted the runway. The student pilot did not report any preexisting preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postflight examinations revealed a collapsed nose landing gear and firewall damage. ## Factual narrative According to the dispatching flight instructor, the student pilot was on his first solo cross country flight. According to the student pilot, wind at the single-runway destination airport was from 120 degrees at 6 knots, so he chose to land on runway 20. Abeam the intended point of landing, the student pilot reduced power, added 10 degrees of flaps, and obtained the desired descent airspeed. He maintained that airspeed on the base leg, and turning onto final, noted that the airplane was high. The student pilot then lowered the flaps completely while continuing to maintain the desired approach airspeed. Once over the runway, the airplane “ballooned,” then "dropped immediately" and impacted the runway in a nose-low attitude, with the stall warning horn sounding from “slightly before” the balloon until impact. The student pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane, while a postflight examination of it revealed a collapsed nose landing gear and firewall damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N89847](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89847-2018-06-01), registration cancelled 2018-06-01, S/N 17276014, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276014 - Airframe hours: 10060 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Eastern Kentucky University - Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: I39, Richmond, KY - Destination: BRY, Bardstown, KY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BRY, Bardstown, runway 20, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Observed at: BRY ## 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 20130304003809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130304003809A), Mar 4, 2013: Cessna 172P, Bardstown, KY, Minor damage. Student pilot on his first solo cross country. Student attempted to land at Bardstown Kentucky. Student stated he flared high then the aircraft ballooned and… ## Other investigations on N89847 (1) 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 GAA16CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA220), May 6, 2016: Cessna 172 (N89847), Richmond, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with tree(s). ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86353. 707 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388743&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.