# NTSB GAA18CA163: Cessna 172, N249FS, Bedford, MA, March 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2018, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Bedford, MA - Coordinates: 42.470275, -71.289718 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4703&lon=-71.2897&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 June 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96874/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96874 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA163 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in substantial damage. ## 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 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 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 pilot reported that, during touchdown in crosswind conditions, it "felt like [the airplane] landed heavily on the nose wheel." He added that he taxied to park without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that 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. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 300° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 29. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during touchdown in crosswind conditions, it "felt like [the airplane] landed heavily on the nose wheel". He added that, he taxied to park without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed that 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. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 300° at 9 knots. The pilot landed on runway 29. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N249FS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N249FS), registered now, S/N 17281249, built 2005 (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: 17281249 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: BED, Bedford, MA - Destination: BED, Bedford, MA - Airport: BED, Laurence G Hanscom Fld, runway 29, 7,011 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 257 total, 254 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1.7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KBED ## 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 20180311002249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180311002249A), Mar 11, 2018: Cessna 172R, Bedford, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot's description of sequence of events during landing and touchdown: Inbound for landing on RY29 at kbed ~1230 EDT after ~1 hour 40 min originating from… ## Other investigations on N249FS (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN07CA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA154), Aug 13, 2007: Cessna 172R (N249FS), Fort Collins, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96874. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 862 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462419&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462420&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.