# NTSB GAA18CA348: Cessna 172, N497SJ, Orlando, FL, May 29, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2018, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.290832, -81.437225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2908&lon=-81.4372&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: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97485/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97485
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA348

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing.

## 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 · 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)

## 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)
- [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)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after it "touched down[,] the airplane bounced a couple times" and then landed hard. 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 after he "touched down the airplane bounced a couple times and that's w[h]ere the hard landing occurred". Subsequently, the pilot landed the airplane 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N497SJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N497SJ), registered now, S/N 172S8497, built 2000 (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 I0-360-B1E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-b1e) (registry code 41559, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8497
- Year built: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 2018
- Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Destination: ISM, Orlando, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ISM, Kissimmee Gateway, runway 24, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 63 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KISM

## 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 20180529015159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180529015159A), May 29, 2018: Cessna 172S, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that approach to Kissimmee Gateway Airport was normal. During landing touchdown aircraft N497SJ bounced a couple of times and pilot performed a go…

## Other investigations on N497SJ (3)

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 ERA25LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA072), Dec 9, 2024: Cessna 172 (N497SJ), Pahokee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane, which resulted in a midair collision during short final approach.
- [NTSB ERA17LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA026), Oct 1, 2016: Cessna 172 (N497SJ), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a nose landing gear collapse.
- [NTSB FTW02LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA068), Jan 12, 2002: Cessna 172S (N497SJ), Sugar Land, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97485. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.

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