# NTSB GAA17CA448: Cessna 172, N80399, Manassas, VA, July 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 9, 2017, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Manassas, VA - Coordinates: 38.721389, -77.514167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7214&lon=-77.5142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA448 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95698/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95698 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA448 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot was practicing takeoff and landings. She reported that, on her fifth and final landing, the control tower advised her to spend minimal time on the runway due to a jet that was No. 2 to land behind her. She added that she rushed the landing and was too fast to level off during the flare. Subsequently, the nosewheel touched down first, and a porpoise ensued. Following the porpoise, she taxied off the runway without incident. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. 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 was practicing takeoff and landings at the accident airport. On her fifth and final landing, she reported that the control tower advised her to spend minimal time on the runway due to a jet that was No. 2 to land behind her. She added that, she rushed the landing and was too fast to level off during the flare. Subsequently the nose wheel touched down first, and a porpoise ensued. Following the porpoise, she taxied off the runway without incident. A postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80399](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80399-2019-04-17), registration cancelled 2019-04-17, S/N 17266571, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266571 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 1268 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aviation Adventures LLC. - Registered owner: Nass Edwin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2017 - Departed: HEF, Manassas, VA - Destination: HEF, Manassas, VA - Airport: HEF, Manassas Rgnl/Harry P Davis Fi, runway 34R, 6,200 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 45.7 total, 45.7 in this make and model, 4.5 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KHEF ## 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 20170709011509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170709011509A), Jul 9, 2017: Cessna 172M, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. The student pilot reported in her statement that she was flying solo in the accident aircraft at Manassas regional airport (hef), conducting touch-and-goes. On… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95698. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 902 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 314 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459749&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.