# NTSB GAA18CA340: Cessna 172, N363CK, Hillsboro, TX, June 9, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2018, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, TX - Coordinates: 32.086112, -97.10083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0861&lon=-97.1008&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 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA340 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97463/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97463 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA340 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent porpoise. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [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) - [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [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) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go, he came in too fast, and the airplane landed hard and bounced. He added that he should have gone around but chose to "ride it out." Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, the nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. 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 at the accident airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 8 knots and that, about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was 170° at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 16. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a touch and go, he came in too fast and the airplane landed hard and bounced. He added that, he should have gone around but chose to "ride it out". Subsequently, the airplane porpoised, the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane came to rest nose down on the runway. 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 at the accident airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 180° at 8 knots, and that about 15 minutes after the accident, the wind was 170° at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot landed on runway 16. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N363CK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N363CK), registered now, S/N 172S9634, built 2004 (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: 172S9634 - Year built: 2004 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aviator Air LLC - Registered owner: Aviator Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: GPM, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Destination: INJ, Hillsboro, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: INJ, Hillsboro Muni, runway 16, 3,998 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 99 total, 97 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KINJ ## 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 20180609007469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180609007469A), Jun 9, 2018: Cessna 172S, Hillsboro, TX, Substantial damage. On 6/9/19 around 13:00 central daylight time, N363CK a Cessna 172S, was executing a second touch and go at Hillsboro Airport (kinj), the private pilot and sole… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97463. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.