# NTSB GAA17CA180: Cessna 172, N737RT, Naples, FL, February 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2017, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Naples, FL - Coordinates: 26.148332, -81.774719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1483&lon=-81.7747&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94845/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94845 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA180 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis The pilot on the controls reported that, during landing while about 70 knots, the airplane buffeted and was pushed to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot recovered and realigned the airplane with the nose on the centerline. He reported that, when he entered the flare, the airplane encountered another wind gust, and the airplane ballooned. The airplane descended and pitched down and landed hard on the nose gear. The propeller struck the ground, and the pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The METAR reported that the wind was variable at 05 knots about the time of the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot on the controls reported that during landing about 70 kts. airspeed, the airplane buffeted and was pushed to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot recovered and realigned the airplane with the nose on the centerline. When the pilot entered the flair, he reported that the airplane encountered another wind gust and the airplane ballooned. The airplane descended and pitched down and landed hard on the nose gear. The propeller struck the ground and the pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. The meteorological aerodrome report identified that the wind was variable at 05 kts. about the time of the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737RT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737RT), registered now, S/N 17269622, built 1977 (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: 17269622 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3835.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2016 - Departed: APF, Naples, FL - Destination: APF, Naples, FL - Airport: APF, Naples Muni, runway 05, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,500 total, 900 in this make and model, 3,450 as pilot in command - Co-pilot; age 70; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2007; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 20,836 total, 140 in this make and model, 15,705 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KAPF ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94845. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.