# NTSB IAD03CA071: Cessna 172, N229ME, Cleveland, OH, August 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2003, 11:36 local (15:36 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, OH - Coordinates: 41.518054, -81.683334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5181&lon=-81.6833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: CLEVELAND FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57733 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03CA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57733/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03CA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which 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 approached the runway at 70 knots, idled the engine after crossing over the runway "numbers," and leveled off. He flared, and the airplane floated for a while. When the airplane landed, the pilot heard a noise, and thought he had hit something. The airplane ballooned about 5 feet in the air, and landed again. At that time, the nosewheel began to vibrate violently. The pilot realized that something was wrong, and made a decision not to go around. The airplane ballooned again, about 7 or 8 feet into the air, landed hard on the nosewheel, and bounced one last time. After the airplane settled onto the runway, it veered to the right and went into the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall was completely wrinkled, and was split about 10 inches up from the base. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2003, at 1136 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N229ME, was substantially damaged during a landing on runway 06L at Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), Cleveland, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (UMP), Indianapolis, Indiana, about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he approached the runway at 70 knots, idled the engine after crossing over the runway "numbers," and leveled off. He flared the airplane, and it floated for a while. When the airplane landed, the pilot heard a noise, and thought he had hit something. The airplane ballooned about 5 feet into the air, and landed again. Then the nosewheel began to vibrate violently. The pilot realized that something was wrong, and made a decision not to go around. The airplane ballooned again, about 7 or 8 feet, landed hard on the nosewheel, and bounced one last time. After the airplane settled onto the runway, it veered right and went into the grass. The passenger provided a statement that was similar to the pilot's statement. A witness reported that the airplane made an approach to the runway, "at or above" 90 knots. It made a "fast three-point landing and bounced." After it bounced, the airplane was nose high and seemed to have stalled. After it stalled, the airplane "nose-dived, porpoising down the runway," and out of his line of sight. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane on the day of the accident. According to the inspector, the firewall was completely wrinkled, and was split about 10 inches up from the base. The pilot reported a total of 208 flight hours, all of which were in make and model. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as wind from 020 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N229ME](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N229ME), registered now, S/N 172S8483, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258483 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marks Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UMP, INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Destination: BKL, CLEVELAND, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BKL;, Burke Lakefront, runway 6L ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 208 total, 208 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030819021239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030819021239A), Aug 19, 2003: Cessna 172S, Cleveland, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was landing on runway 6L. On touchdown, the a/c ballooned two to three times. The pilot noted hearing a "noise" during one of these… ## Other investigations on N229ME (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 CHI04CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA165), Jun 26, 2004: Cessna 172S (N229ME), Fishers, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate remedial actions after an inadequate landing flare and subsequent hard landing. Additional causes were the pilot-induced porpoise and the collapse of the nose landing gear. 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.