# NTSB GAA15CA049: Cessna 172M, N1576V, Clearwater, FL, April 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2015, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.961389, -82.727218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9614&lon=-82.7272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Tampa FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91079 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91079/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91079 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive airspeed during landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact, a runway excursion, and substantial damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,682 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,308 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-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing, his airspeed was too high and the airplane bounced. He continued the landing, but the airplane porpoised, and on the third bounce slid off the runway. During the runway excursion, the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller struck the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during landing, his airspeed was too high and the airplane bounced. He continued the landing, but the airplane porpoised, and on the third bounce slid off the runway. During the runway excursion, the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller struck the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1576V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1576V-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N 17263676, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263676 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 6897 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Clearwater Helicopters, doing business as tampa Bay Aviation - Registered owner: West Florida Flying Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 2014 - Departed: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL - Destination: CLW, CLEARWATER, FL - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 34, 4,108 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 830 total, 184 in this make and model, 687 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KCLW ## 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 20150424005189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150424005189A), Apr 24, 2015: Cessna 172M, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot in command was acting as a flight instructor on a discovery flight and was occupying the right seat. During the approach to landing, it appears that… ## Other investigations on N1576V (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 MIA81DKJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DKJ12), Jul 4, 1981: Cessna 172M (N1576V), Marianna, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91079. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431900&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Firewall (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Firewall%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.