# NTSB GAA16CA523: Cessna 172, N461SP, Tooele, UT, September 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2016, 16:35 local (22:35 UTC) - Place: Tooele, UT - Coordinates: 40.611389, -112.35083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6114&lon=-112.3508&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 December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA523 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA523 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. ## 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 · Student/instructed 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: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and bounced and that she then pulled the yoke to the farthest aft position. She further reported that the airplane porpoised and that she applied the brakes; however, she "could not press the right brake fully". Subsequently, the airplane veered to the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination by a local mechanic revealed substantial damage to the yoke, which was broken at the lower attach point. Further, the rudder bearing cap on the pilot side inboard was damaged, the rudder springs were damaged and disconnected at the tunnel, and the floorboards and firewall were buckled and creased. The student 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 student pilot reported that the airplane landed hard and bounced and that she then pulled the yoke to the farthest aft position. She further reported that the airplane porpoised and that she applied the brakes; however, she "could not press the right brake fully". Subsequently ,the airplane veered to the left side of the runway. A postaccident examination by a local mechanic revealed substantial damage to the yoke, which was broken at the lower attach point. Further, the rudder bearing cap on the pilot side inboard was damaged, the rudder springs were damaged and disconnected at the tunnel, and the floorboards and firewall were buckled and creased. The student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N461SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N461SP), registered now, S/N 172S8360, built 2000 (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 I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8360 - Year built: 2000 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER A&C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Destination: TVY, Tooele, UT - Airport: TVY, Bolinder Field-Tooele Valley, runway 35, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 47.7 total, 47.7 in this make and model, 6.6 as pilot in command, 47.7 in the last 90 days, 7.4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KTVY ## 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 20160916018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160916018709A), Sep 16, 2016: Cessna 172S, Tooele, UT, Substantial damage. The student was practicing landings as a part of a part 141 solo flight lesson. She had completed two touch-and-go landings prior the accident. The student… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94143. 2.8 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=40446234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.