# NTSB GAA17CA268: Cessna 172, N173LL, Kaunakakai, HI, May 3, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 3, 2017, 10:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Kaunakakai, HI
- Coordinates: 21.152778, -157.096389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.1528&lon=-157.0964&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95134/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95134
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA268

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s incorrect flap configuration during the go-around, which resulted in a hard, forced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md)
- [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that she was practicing touch-and-go landings on an asphalt runway. She initiated an approach and bounced the landing and then she initiated a go-around. She was airborne when she pushed the carb heat in and applied full throttle "but mistakenly put flaps up, all at once." The airplane descended to the runway and landed hard. During the landing roll, she pulled the throttle back to idle, gained her bearings, and then initiated a takeoff. She noticed a binding and restriction in the elevator and yoke control movements while remaining in the airport's pattern. She declared an emergency and landed the airplane on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator control column. The manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook identified the Balked Landing procedure as: 1. Throttle – Full Open 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps –20° (Immediately) 4. Climb Speed – 55 KIAS 5. Wing Flaps – 10° (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (After reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS) The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that she was practicing touch and go landings to an asphalt runway. She initiated an approach and bounced the landing, then she accomplished a go-around. However, she was airborne when she pushed the carb heat in and applied full throttle, "but mistakenly put flaps up, all at once." The airplane descended to the runway and landed hard. During the landing roll, she pulled the throttle back to idle and gained her bearings, then she initiated a takeoff. She noticed a binding and restriction in the elevator and yoke control movements while remaining in the airport's pattern. She declared an emergency and landed the airplane on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator control column. The manufacturer's pilot operating handbook identifies the Balked Landing procedure as: 1. Throttle – Full Open 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps –20° (Immediately) 4. Climb Speed – 55 KIAS 5. Wing Flaps – 10° (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (After reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS) The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N173LL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N173LL), registered now, S/N 17275633, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-D2J](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-d2j) (registry code 41595, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275633
- Year built: 1982
- Airframe hours: 9747.5
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Lani Lea Sky Tours, LLC
- Registered owner: Lani Lea Sky Tours, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 25, 2017
- Departed: PHNL, Honolulu, HI
- Destination: PHNL, Honolulu, HI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MKK, Molokai, runway 5, 4,494 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 62 total, 62 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: PHMK

## 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 20170503021549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170503021549A), May 3, 2017: Cessna C172, Molokai, HI, Substantial damage. Molokai, HI (mkk): N173LL, C172, student solo x-c, no injs; rptd elevator issue; lndd on nose; bent fire wall/sub dmg; no ATC svcs; txt sent; notfd…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95134. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Powerplant%20Mechanic%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.