# NTSB GAA18CA064: Cessna 172, N75919, Pompano, FL, November 16, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 16, 2017, 15:26 local (20:26 UTC) - Place: Pompano, FL - Coordinates: 26.248332, -80.11 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2483&lon=-80.1100&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96401/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96401 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA064 ## Probable cause The 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: [Cessna 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, as the main landing gear touched down, he "felt like [the airplane] hit a[n] uneven section of the runway" and began to porpoise. The pilot was able to remedy the porpoise by using back pressure, and he taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during landing, as the main landing gear touched down, he "felt like [the airplane] hit a[n] uneven section of the runway" and began to porpoise. The pilot was able to remedy the porpoise by using back pressure and he taxied the airplane to the ramp without further incident. Subsequently, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75919](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75919-2020-05-02), registration cancelled 2020-05-02, S/N 17268042, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268042 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL - Destination: PMP, Pompano, FL - Airport: PMP, Pompano Beach Airpark, runway 10, 3,502 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 62 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KPMP ## 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 20171116021129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171116021129A), Nov 16, 2017: Cessna 172N, Pompano Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Airman [privacy data omitted] was on a flight from eyw to sua but landed at pmp due to weather at sua. Upon landing the aircraft began to porpoise, as the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96401. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 881 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 500 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.