# NTSB GAA17CA300: Cessna 172, N53460, Clarksville, TN, May 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2017, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Clarksville, TN - Coordinates: 36.621944, -87.415 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6219&lon=-87.4150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA300 ## Probable cause The pilot’s unstabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439), [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 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 pilot reported that, during his approach, he turned to base too early. His approach glide angle was too high, and "I reduced power but also nosed the plane over in order to descend." The airplane's airspeed increased, and the airplane ballooned during the landing flare. The airplane touched down hard, porpoised on the runway, and a propeller strike occurred. He taxied to park and noticed that the firewall had sustained substantial damage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during his approach, he made his turn to base too early. His approach glide angle was too high and, "I reduced power but also nosed the plane over in order to descend." The airplane's airspeed increased and the airplane ballooned during the landing flare. The airplane touched down hard, it porpoised on the runway and a propeller strike occurred. He taxied to parking and noticed that substantial damage was sustained to the fire wall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53460](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53460), registered now, S/N 172S9351, built 2003 (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 IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9351 - Year built: 2003 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MQY, SMYRNA, TN - Destination: SIK, SIKESTON, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CKV, Outlaw Field, runway 17, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,151 total, 45.5 in this make and model, 2,196 as pilot in command, 61.9 in the last 90 days, 21.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KCKV ## 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 20170514008899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170514008899A), May 14, 2017: Cessna 172S, Clarksvills, TN, Substantial damage. On may 14, 2017 at approximately 1245 CST, the Cessna N53460 entered a left downwind to runway 17 at clarksville regional airport (kckv). The Cessna had an… ## Other investigations on N53460 (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 ERA12CA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA209), Mar 4, 2012: Cessna 172S (N53460), Lafayette, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95223. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.