# NTSB GAA17CA389: Cessna 172, N2173Z, Shreveport, LA, July 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2017, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Shreveport, LA - Coordinates: 32.540279, -93.745002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5403&lon=-93.7450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - 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/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95515 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95515/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95515 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA389 ## Probable cause The student’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172R, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during the first approach to land, the airspeed was about 10 knots fast. He added that, during the flare, he attempted to correct the airspeed by "pitching back," but the airplane bounced hard and then porpoised on the runway. He further added that he initiated a go-around and subsequently completed a normal landing after two additional go-arounds. The right elevator, fuselage, and firewall sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, during the first approach to land, the airspeed was about 10 kts. fast. He added that, during the flare he attempted to correct the airspeed by "pitching back," but the airplane bounced hard and then porpoised on the runway. He further added that, he initiated a go-around and subsequently completed a normal landing after two additional go-arounds. The right elevator, fuselage, and firewall sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2173Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2173Z), registered now, S/N 17281216, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (R) - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17281216 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 8014.7 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tubreaux Aviation Services LLC. - Registered owner: Tubreaux Aviation Services LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2017 - Departed: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA - Destination: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA - Airport: DTN, Shreveport Downtown, runway 23, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 34.9 total, 34.9 in this make and model, 1.1 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KDTN ## 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 20170703008829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170703008829A), Jul 3, 2017: Cessna 172R, Shreveport, LA, Destroyed. Student pilot experienced hard landing and porpoised. He did not realize he had a prop strike. Applied power and became airborne, completing two go-arounds to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95515. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456897&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.