- Date
- November 8, 2004, 22:15 local (Nov 9, 2004, 03:15 UTC)
- Place
- Sanford, FL
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N8077ECessna 172N
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night
- Status
- Completed · report March 30, 2005
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA Flight Standards District Office
- FAA report
- 20041108033849A
- Case key
- 60662
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The improper flare by the pilot in command resulting in a hard landing, Restricted movement of the throttle was a contributing factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 9L when the flight was approximately 25 feet, he manipulated the throttle, but it appeared the throttle was stuck in a position which was insufficient to perform a go-around. The airplane contacted the runway causing the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate. The pilot advised air traffic control of the ELT activation and taxied the airplane to the ramp where he secured the airplane. He reported the ELT activation on the aircraft discrepancy log sheet. The post accident inspection of the aircraft was conducted by Avion Aviation Maintenance on November 9, 2004, without FAA or NTSB oversight. The inspection consisted of a visual engine inspection, and freedom of movement of the throttle control system. The throttle and mixture controls were found free and smooth and no defects were noted.
Factual narrative
On November 8, 2004, about 2215 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N8077E, registered to a private individual and operated by Avion Air Academy, experienced a hard landing at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport, Sanford, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, from Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida, to Orlando-Sanford International Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 2130, from the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
The pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 9L when the flight was approximately 25 feet, he manipulated the throttle, but it appeared the throttle was stuck in a position which was insufficient to perform a go-around. The airplane contacted the runway causing the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate. The pilot advised air traffic control of the ELT activation and taxied the airplane to the ramp where he secured the airplane. He reported the ELT activation on the aircraft discrepancy log sheet.
The postaccident inspection of the aircraft was conducted by Avion Aviation Maintenance on November 9, 2004, without FAA or NTSB oversight. The inspection consisted of a visual engine inspection, and freedom of movement of the throttle control system. The throttle and mixture controls were found free and smooth and no defects were noted.
The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the accident on November 19, 2004.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8077E
- Reported as
- Cessna 172N
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17272133
- Airframe hours
- 13,029
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A4M, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Avion Jet Center
- Registered owner
- Ronald L Dass
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · October 18, 2004 · 88.5 hours before
- Departed
- KLAL · Lakeland, FL
- Destination
- KSFB · Sanford, FL
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- KSFB · Orlando Sanford Int'l Airport, runway 9L, 9,600 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 19
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Last flight review
- October 28, 2004
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 165 total · 53 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 63 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.10 inHg
- Observed at
- KSFB
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.