# NTSB ERA22LA183: Cessna 172RG, N9440D, Waterville, ME, April 6, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 6, 2022, 10:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Waterville, ME - Coordinates: 44.529301, -69.678498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5293&lon=-69.6785&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA183 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s incorrect landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and nose landing gear collapse. ## 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 172RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 172RG, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172RG, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072438), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that following performing maneuvers in the local area he returned to the airport to complete touch-and-go landings. He had completed four landings and remained in the pattern for his fifth landing, in which he planned to do a soft field landing. Upon touchdown, the pilot described that a “hard bounce” sent the airplane back into the air. When the airplane touched down again, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop on the runway. The fuselage and rudder sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9440D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9440D-2023-12-11), registration cancelled 2023-12-11, S/N 172RG1162, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG (NO SERIES EXISTS) - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG1162 - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 5709 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1AG 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airlink Flight School - Registered owner: Da42 LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 22, 2021 - Departed: WVL, Waterville, ME - Airport: WVL, Waterville Robert LaFleur Airport, runway 05-23, 5,500 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 21 total, 21 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KWVL, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KWVL 061356Z AUTO 05007KT 10SM CLR 07/M08 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP200 T00721078= ## 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 20220406005019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220406005019A), Apr 6, 2022: Cessna 172RG, Waterville, ME, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing solo flight in the local area of kwvl. Pilot had gone out to the practice area for about 30 minutes then returned to do some traffic… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104909. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14154461&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (student pilot) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14155130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Student%20Pilot)-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14155292&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Duplicate case assignment memorandum (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15307538&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA181%20Duplicate%20Case%20Memo%2023_Redacted-Rel.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.