# NTSB IAD96LA119: Cessna 172M, N9731V, Tremont City, OH, July 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 1996, 20:15 local (Jul 19, 1996, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Tremont City, OH - Coordinates: 40.019077, -83.839843 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0191&lon=-83.8398&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28086 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28086/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA119 ## Probable cause the student pilot's misjudged 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 - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The student pilot reported that she completed one landing successfully. She stated that during the second approach to landing, she used nearly full flaps, at the correct airspeed, and began to flare. The airplane ballooned and the pilot increased back pressure. The airplane touched down hard on the grass runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The student pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. The student pilot reported 19.8 hours total flight time, including 16.6 hours in the accident make and model airplane. The student pilot indicated that she had 2.5 hours as pilot-in-command. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 1996, at 2015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9731V, operated as a solo instructional flight, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Mad River Airport, in Tremont City, Ohio. The student pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Tremont City, Ohio, at 1950. The student pilot reported that she completed one landing successfully. She stated that on the second landing, "...As I approached the runway, using nearly full flaps and at the correct airspeed, I began the flare at what I considered to be the appropriate time. Instead of settling to the surface, the airplane ballooned and I increased back pressure, causing a rapid drop of the aircraft...." The airplane touched down hard on the grass runway, the nosegear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The student pilot indicated that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction. The student pilot reported that she had 19.8 hours total flight experience, including 16.6 hours in the accident make and model airplane. She indicated that she had 2.5 hours total flight time as pilot-in-command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9731V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9731V-2006-09-22), registration cancelled 2006-09-22, S/N 17264495, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264495 - Airframe hours: 7934 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mad River Airport, Inc. - Registered owner: Thomas L Printz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1996, 95 hours before - Departed: I54, OH - Airport: I54, Mad River Airport, runway 27, 3,400 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 17 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19960718036259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960718036259A), Jul 18, 1996: Cessna 172M, Tremont City, OH, Substantial damage. Ballooned on flair. Used aft yoke. Dropped to runway. Collapsed nose gear. Flipped over. (-23) on 2nd landing of day, student pilot stated that aircraft… ## Other investigations on N9731V (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 NYC04FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04FA171), Jul 18, 2004: Cessna 172M (N9731V), Brookville, OH, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The student pilot's control interference while the flight instructor was maneuvering to avoid a tree, which resulted in a failure to maintain airspeed and a stall/mush. 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.