# NTSB IAD00LA007: Cessna 172XP, N758LR, Phillipi, WV, November 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 1999, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Phillipi, WV - Coordinates: 39.150199, -80.04 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1502&lon=-80.0400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD00LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47801/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD00LA007 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare that resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot said he entered the traffic pattern, performed his base and final turns, and configured the airplane for landing. The pilot said that on short final, he began his level off and flare prematurely. He said, 'I just ballooned high and had a hard landing. That's all there is to it.' ## Factual narrative On November 21, 1999, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172XP, N758LR, was substantially damaged during a hard landing to the Phillipi/Barbour County Airport (79D), Phillipi, West Virginia. The certificated private was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Morgantown, West Virginia (MGW), approximately 1400. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated he flew to MGW, serviced the airplane with fuel, and returned to his home airport at Phillipi/Barbour County. He said he entered the traffic pattern for runway 26, performed his base and final turns, and configured the airplane for landing. The pilot said that on short final, he began his level off and flare prematurely. He said: "I just ballooned high and had a hard landing. That's all there is to it." In a telephone interview, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector said the airplane sustained damage to the propeller, nose gear, and firewall. He said the flight control tunnels aft of the firewall were crushed and prevented the movement of the flight controls. When questioned about the performance of the airplane, the pilot said, "It was performing very well. No problems." The pilot purchased the airplane November 6, 1999. An annual inspection was performed on the airplane prior to its purchase on October 5, 1999. The pilot reported 143 hours of flight experience, of which 7 hours were in the Cessna 172. Winds reported at Clarksburg, West Virginia, 10 miles northwest of 79D, were from 240 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N758LR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N758LR), registered now, S/N R1723185, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172XP - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1723185 - Airframe hours: 1830 - Engines: Continental IO-360-KB 195 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael T. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1999, 12 hours before - Departed: MGW, MORGANTOWN, WV - Destination: 79D - Airport: 79D, Phillipi/Barbour Airport, runway 26, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 7 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CKB, 10 nm away ## 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 19991121031819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991121031819A), Nov 21, 1999: Cessna R172K, Philippi, WV, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 21, 1999, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172XP, N758LR, was substantially damaged during a hard landing to the phillipi/barbour… 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.