# NTSB LAX08CA124: Cessna 172S, N65630, San Luis Obispo, CA, April 7, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 7, 2008, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: San Luis Obispo, CA - Coordinates: 35.23722, -120.642501 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2372&lon=-120.6425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67956 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67956/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind condition. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane's descent was uneventful. The wind was reported as 300 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 25 knots. After touchdown, the airplane porpoised. The pilot then taxied the airplane to the hangar. Although the landing was very rough, the pilot was unaware that the airplane was damaged. Post-flight examination revealed that the propeller blades were slightly bent to the rear, and the firewall was dented. ## Factual narrative In a written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane's descent was uneventful. The wind was reported as 300 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 25 knots. After touchdown, the airplane porpoised. The pilot then taxied the airplane to the hangar. She stated that although the landing was very rough, she was unaware that the airplane sustained damage. Post-flight examination revealed that the propeller blades were slightly bent to the rear, and the firewall was dented. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65630](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65630-2009-10-28), registration cancelled 2009-10-28, S/N 172S9736, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9736 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pacific Aerocademy - Registered owner: J Highland LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: KSBP, San Luis Obispo, CA - Destination: KSBP, San Luis Obispo, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KSBP, San Luis County Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 65 total, 65 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 19 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: SBP ## 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 20080407838309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080407838309A), Apr 7, 2008: Cessna 172S, San Luis Obisp, CA, Substantial damage. (-23)Student pilot stated that aircraft porpoised upon landing. Student pilot stated she taxied aircraft to parking and tied it down but had no idea the… 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.