# NTSB MIA05CA067: Cessna 172, N4980R, Jacksonville, FL, March 3, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 3, 2005, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.277778, -81.805831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2778&lon=-81.8058&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 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO 15 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61091/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing 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 - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot stated her second landing approach was a "little fast" and right at the point she flared the nosewheel hit the runway hard. She attempted to maintain control of the airplane, but the nosewheel hit hard again. She then applied full throttle deciding to make a go-around. The third landing was without incident and she taxied back to the ramp. After the airplane was secure she observed the airplane, and found damage to the propeller and nose. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The chief pilot for the Navy flying club stated he observed the student pilot takeoff and fly the traffic pattern. The second approach seemed slightly fast, but well controlled. The round out and flare appeared to be normal but the airplane seemed to touch down early, landing flat on all three wheels. Then the nose came up abruptly and the airplane climbed about 3-4 feet into the air followed by the nose coming down abruptly and appeared to contact the runway. Again, the airplane rose about 3-4 feet followed by an abrupt change in pitch nose down, and the nosewheel may have contacted the runway a second time. The student then added power and entered a shallow climb. After flying the traffic pattern the student landed normally and taxied back to the ramp. After the engine was secured he observed damage to the propeller tips, buckling of the fire wall and floor board panels. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 2005, about 1045 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N4980R, registered to the United States Air Force and operated by Jacksonville Navy Flying Club, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, had a hard landing at the Herlong Airport, Jacksonville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The local flight originated earlier that day, about 1020. The student pilot stated her second landing approach was a "little fast" and right at the point she flared the nosewheel hit the runway hard. She attempted to maintain control of the airplane, but the nosewheel hit hard again. She then applied full throttle deciding to make a go-around. The third landing was without incident and she taxied back to the ramp. After the airplane was secure she observed the airplane, and found damage to the propeller and nose. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The chief pilot for the Navy flying club stated he observed the student pilot takeoff and fly the traffic pattern. The second approach seemed slightly fast, but well controlled. The round out and flare appeared to be normal but the airplane seemed to touch down early, landing flat on all three wheels. Then the nose came up abruptly and the airplane climbed about 3-4 feet into the air followed by the nose coming down abruptly and appeared to contact the runway. Again, the airplane rose about 3-4 feet followed by an abrupt change in pitch nose down, and the nosewheel may have contacted the runway a second time. The student then added power and entered a shallow climb. After flying the traffic pattern the student landed normally and taxied back to the ramp. After the engine was secured he observed damage to the propeller tips, buckling of the fire wall and floor board panels. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4980R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4980R-2018-11-03), registration cancelled 2018-11-03, S/N 17256334, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - 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: 172563Z4 - Airframe hours: 12174 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jacksonville Navy Flying Club - Registered owner: U.S. Air Force - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 2004, 85 hours before - Departed: HEG, Jacksonville, FL - Destination: HEG, Jacksonville, FL - Airport: HEG, Herlong Airport, runway 25, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 90 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: HEG ## 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 20050303002999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050303002999A), Mar 3, 2005: Cessna 172H, Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 3, 2005, at 1145EST, a Cessna 172, N4980R, owned and operated by the jax navy flying club porpoised during a landing on runway 25 at the Herlong… 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.