# NTSB LAX01LA008: Cessna 172H, N3715R, Hilo, HI, October 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 7, 2000, 10:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Hilo, HI - Coordinates: 19.689897, -155.080444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6899&lon=-155.0804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50455/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA008 ## Probable cause An inadvertent pilot-induced porpoise resulting from the pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate power management. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis Witnesses saw the airplane touch down hard and porpoise three times during the student pilot's third landing on her first solo flight. The student pilot reported that during the initial touchdown she decreased the engine power too soon for the flare and hesitated too long. Thereafter, she should have increased engine power but said she forgot what to do. The airplane engine's firewall was found bent during a subsequent airframe inspection. The student pilot's total flight time was about 29 hours. ## Factual narrative On October 7, 2000, about 1030 hours Hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 172H, N3715R, operated by the pilot, made a hard landing on runway 03 at the Hilo International Airport, Hilo, Hawaii. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the solo instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Hilo about 1015. In pertinent part, the student pilot reported that during the first touchdown she decreased the engine power too soon for the flare and hesitated too long. Thereafter, she should have increased engine power but forgot what to do. The airplane touched down two more times, and the third time was "harder than necessary (and) noises were heard." According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator, the pilot's certified instructor witnessed the accident. The CFI reported that the airplane touched down hard during the pilot's third landing on her first solo flight. Thereafter, the airplane porpoised about three times. The airplane's firewall was found bent during a subsequent inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3715R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3715R), registered now, S/N 17255515, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255515 - Airframe hours: 5240 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Elizabeth S. Cossaboon - Registered owner: Merlin W. Dyball - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 2000 - Departed: ITO - Airport: ITO, Hilo International, runway 3, 5,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 178 °F, dew point 154 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ITO ## 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 20001007041149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001007041149A), Oct 7, 2000: Cessna 172H, Hilo, HI, Substantial damage. (.4) On October 7, 2000, about 1030 hours hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 172H, N3715R, operated by the pilot, made a hard landing on runway 03 at the Hilo… 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.