# NTSB GAA17CA470: Cessna 172, N497TC, Carlsbad, CA, July 30, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2017, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.128887, -117.275833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1289&lon=-117.2758&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 November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA470 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95752/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95752 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA470 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions. ## 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 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 · Student/instructed 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 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) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane porpoised, and the propeller struck the runway. He added that he initiated a go-around, landed, and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 8 knots, gusting 16 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 250° at 10 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 24. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane porpoised and the propeller struck the runway. He added that he initiated a go-around, landed, and taxied back to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that about 37 minutes before the accident the wind was from 250° at 8 knots, gusting 16 knots. The same weather observation station reported that about 23 minutes after the accident the wind was from 250° at 10 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 24. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N497TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N497TC), registered now, S/N 172S9870, built 2005 (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: 172S9870 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 5413 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pinnacle Aviation Academy, Inc. - Registered owner: Pinnacle Aviation Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 2017 - Departed: RNM, RAMONA, CA - Destination: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Airport: CRQ, Mc Clellan-Palomar, runway 24, 4,897 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 50; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 93.1 total, 92.9 in this make and model, 7.9 in the last 90 days, 3.7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KCRQ ## 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 20170730010199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170730010199A), Jul 30, 2017: Cessna 172S, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. Departed krnm enroute to kcrq. Approx. 10 miles east of kcrq received weather, contacted kcrq tower and received reporting instructions, straight in clearance… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95752. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457252&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457253&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.