# NTSB IAD98LA007: Cessna 172M, N64507, Oceana, VA, October 11, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1997, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Oceana, VA
- Coordinates: 36.610675, -76.020729 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6107&lon=-76.0207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA007

## Probable cause

Improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing.  A related factor was the diverted attention.

## 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)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that when he was on final approach to land, his three year old daughter seated in the right rear seat, got out of her seat, and he was distracted.  The airplane touched down hard, which buckled the fire wall.  He said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if his wife had sat in the back with his daughter.

## Factual narrative

On October 11, 1997, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64507, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard during landing at NAS Norfolk/Chambers Airport, Oceana, Virginia.  The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he took off for a local flight.  As he turned crosswind, his three year old daughter seated in the right rear seat, began to cry.  His wife in the right front seat was unable to comfort her.  He then radioed the tower, and requested a full stop landing.

During final approach to land, his daughter tried to get out of her seat, and he was distracted.  The airplane touched down hard, which buckled the fire wall.

The pilot said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if his wife had sat in the back with his daughter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64507](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64507), registered now, S/N 17265267, built 1975 (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: 17265267
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norfolk Navy Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1997
- Departed: NGU
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NGU, Nas Chambers, runway 1, 8,369 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,315 total, 10 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19971011037029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971011037029A), Oct 11, 1997: Cessna 172M, Norfolk, VA, Substantial damage. Distracted by pass right seat unbuckling seat belt on short final.

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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