# NTSB MIA01LA227: Cessna 172S, N764SP, Gadsden, AL, August 21, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 2001, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Gadsden, AL
- Coordinates: 33.972499, -86.08889
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9725&lon=-86.0889&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA227

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing, and impact with the runway.

## 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)
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The pilot stated that at the conclusion of a solo cross-country flight, while on final approach over the runway he reduced power, maintained airspeed, and at "10 to 12 feet" above the runway he began the flare.  When the airplane touched down the main landing gear hit hard, and the airplane then hit hard on the nose wheel, separating it from the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 2001, about 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna C-172S, N764SP, owned by C & S Aviation Inc and operated by Bessemer Aviation Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight impacted the runway at Gadsden Airport, Gadsden, Alabama.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged.  The student pilot reported no injuries.  The airplane departed Gadsden at 1315, on a round trip solo cross-country flight.

According to the pilot's statement he was on approach to runway 36, at the conclusion of a solo cross-country flight.  He said that when he had the "runway made," he reduced power, maintained airspeed, and at "10 to 12 feet" above the runway he began the flare.  He said the main landing gear hit "hard" and the airplane "…hit hard on [the] nose wheel."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N764SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N764SP), registered now, S/N 172S8697, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258697
- Airframe hours: 398
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bessemer Aviation
- Registered owner: C & S Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2001, 98.3 hours before
- Departed: EKY, Bessemer, AL
- Destination: GAD, Gadsden, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GAD, Gadsden, runway 36, 4,803 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 13 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: GAD

## 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 20010821024539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010821024539A), Aug 21, 2001: Cessna 172S, Gadsden, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Buster waters, a student pilot, arrived at Gadsden airport, gad, at approximately 1255 CDT on August 21, 2001, in N764SP, a Cessna CE-172-S, that…

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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