# NTSB GAA16CA245: Cessna 172, N4668G, Carbondale, IL, May 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2016, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Carbondale, IL - Coordinates: 37.778888, -89.248336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7789&lon=-89.2483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93203 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93203/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93203 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA245 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inadequate flare which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion. ## 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 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that on his second supervised solo landing touchdown, the airplane landed flat and firm. He further reported that the airplane "roared" then veered off the runway to the left, and stopped abruptly after the nose wheel became stuck in mud. The student pilot further reported that he may have accidently advanced the throttle after he was pushed forward during the flat landing. According to the student pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the firewall. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that on his second supervised solo landing touchdown, the airplane landed flat and firm. He further reported that the airplane "roared" then veered off the runway to the left, and stopped abruptly after the nose wheel became stuck in mud. The student pilot further reported that he may have accidently advanced the throttle after he was pushed forward during the flat landing. According to the student pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4668G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4668G-2019-03-09), registration cancelled 2019-03-09, S/N 17273294, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273294 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 11673.2 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Southern Illinois University - Registered owner: Southern Illinois University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 2016 - Departed: MDH, Carbondale, IL - Destination: MDH, Carbondale, IL - Airport: MDH, Southern Illinois, runway 36R, 6,506 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KMDH ## 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 20160518003229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160518003229A), May 18, 2016: Cessna 172N, Carbondale, IL, Substantial damage. VFR student solo during landing went off end of runway 36R and got stuck in the mud. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93203. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442595&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.