# NTSB GAA17CA018: Cessna 172, N3943F, Argyle, NY, October 8, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 8, 2016, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Argyle, NY
- Coordinates: 43.251667, -73.471389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2517&lon=-73.4714&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 6, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94193/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94193
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA018

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a stable descent rate and his improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## 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 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072402), [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 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072402), [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 172, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072402), [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 172, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during a biennial flight review (BFR), while in the traffic pattern, the flight instructor reduced the throttle to idle to simulate a total engine failure. He further reported that during the base to final turn, the airplane was slow, and the stall warning horn was audible. During touchdown, the airplane landed hard, bounced, veered off the runway to the right, impacted a tree, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during a biennial flight review (BFR), while in the traffic pattern, the flight instructor reduced the throttle to idle to simulate a total engine failure. He further reported that during the base to final turn, the airplane was slow, and the stall warning horn was audible. During touchdown, the airplane landed hard, bounced, veered off the runway to the right, impacted a tree, and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3943F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3943F-2018-03-29), registration cancelled 2018-03-29, S/N 36843 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36843
- Year built: 1958
- Airframe hours: 2089.9
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2016
- Departed: RUT, RUTLAND, VT
- Destination: 1C3, Argyle, NY
- Airport: 1C3, Argyle, runway 03, 2,400 × 87 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 282.2 total, 271 in this make and model, 36.7 in the last 90 days, 8.8 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; age 71; injuries: minor; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 18,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KGFL, 9 nm away

## 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 20161008024649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161008024649A), Oct 8, 2016: Cessna 172, Argyle, NY, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Pilot of N3943F. He stated that the purpose of the flight was his bfr. The CFI was [privacy data omitted]. As they approached Argyle…

## Other investigations on N3943F (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 NYC83LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA199), Aug 2, 1983: Cessna 172 (N3943F), Easton, NY, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94193. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 613 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448467&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.

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