# NTSB GAA17CA069: Cessna 172, N456SP, Danville, KY, November 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 4, 2016, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Danville, KY - Coordinates: 37.573612, -84.762222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5736&lon=-84.7622&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 April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94387/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94387 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA069 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s 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 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) - [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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 solo student pilot reported that, while on final approach following a cross-country flight, he experienced what felt like a down draft or wind shear. The airplane touched down hard on the runway, bounced, and on the second touchdown, the nosewheel impacted the surface first. The student pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was 040° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that while on final approach following a cross country flight, he experienced what felt like a down draft or wind shear. The airplane touched down hard on the runway, bounced, and on the second touchdown, the nose wheel impacted the surface first. The student pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport, revealed that, about 5 minutes before the accident the wind was 040° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 30. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N456SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N456SP), registered now, S/N 172S8320, built 1999 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8320 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mike Pratt, doing business as Louisville Aviation - Registered owner: Records Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY - Destination: DVK, Danville, KY - Airport: DVK, Stuart Powell Field, runway 30, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KDVK ## 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 20161104023319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161104023319A), Nov 4, 2016: Cessna 172S, Danville, KY, Substantial damage. Student pilot [privacy data omitted] landed hard on nose wheel tire. Propeller strike did occur and substantial damage to engine firewall. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94387. 701 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 258 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450335&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.