# NTSB GAA16CA421: Cessna 172, N24447, Oak Island, NC, August 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 2, 2016, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Oak Island, NC - Coordinates: 33.932498, -78.071662 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9325&lon=-78.0717&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA421 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93791/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93791 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA421 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the firewall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after touching down during landing, he pulled back on the yoke "too far too fast" and the airplane ballooned. During the balloon, the pilot reported that he "failed to push the power to full" and conduct proper aborted landing procedures. The airplane landed hard on the runway and the pilot taxied back to the ramp without further incident. During a postaccident examination, substantial damage to the firewall was discovered. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after touching down during landing, he pulled back on the yoke "too far too fast" and the airplane ballooned. During the balloon, the pilot reported that he "failed to push the power to full" and conduct proper aborted landing procedures. The airplane landed hard on the runway and the pilot taxied back to the ramp without further incident. During a postaccident examination, substantial damage to the firewall was discovered. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24447](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24447), registered now, S/N 172S10122, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10122 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 3372.7 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brunswick Air Inc. - Registered owner: JPEMR Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 2016 - Departed: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Destination: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Airport: SUT, Cape Fear Rgnl Jetport/Howie F, runway 23, 5,505 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; sport pilot, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 169 total, 56 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KSUT ## 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 20160802012969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160802012969A), Aug 2, 2016: Cessna 172S, Oak Island, NC, Substantial damage. On August 2, 2016, at approximately 10:30AM, Mr. Merrill holden, private pilot certificate number #003822518, crash landed a rented Cessna 172, N24447, on… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93791. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 667 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443142&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.