# NTSB GAA18CA046: Textron 172, N30SU, Columbus, OH, November 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 14, 2017, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Columbus, OH - Coordinates: 40.077777, -83.068054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0778&lon=-83.0681&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 February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96331/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96331 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA046 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise. ## 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: [Textron 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072449), [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: [Textron 172S, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072449), [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: [Textron 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go landing, the airplane landed flat. He added that the airplane porpoised and that he heard a "thump." The student pilot performed a go-around, entered the traffic pattern, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go landing, he landed flat. He added that the airplane porpoised and he heard a "thump". The student pilot performed a go-around, entered the traffic pattern, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30SU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30SU), registered now, S/N 172S11625, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 172 (S) - Registry model: [Textron 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/textron-172s) (registry code 2072449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S11625 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 1308.9 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Ohio State University Airport - Registered owner: Ohio State University Airport - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2017 - Departed: OSU, Columbus, OH - Destination: OSU, Columbus, OH - Airport: OSU, Ohio State University, runway 27L, 5,004 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 47 total, 47 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: KOSU ## 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 20171114021109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171114021109A), Nov 14, 2017: Textron 172S, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Student pilots first solo flight. On landing #3 of a series of touch and go's the student pilot landed flat, bounced up, came down nose first on the second… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96331. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458901&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458902&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.