# NTSB MIA07CA143: Cessna 172N, N1954F, Carrabelle, FL, September 8, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 8, 2007, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Carrabelle, FL - Coordinates: 29.805, -84.595832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8050&lon=-84.5958&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 5 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 66623 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66623/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA143 ## Probable cause The improper flare by the pilot-in-command resulting 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) - landing gear,nose gear assembly - separation - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The flight was high on final approach which resulted in the pilot performing a slip to lose altitude. The airplane landed hard, bounced 7-10 feet agl, floated down the runway, then landed on the main landing gear. After lowering the nose the pilot felt a vibration and the airplane then nosed over. The nose landing gear strut separated from the airframe, and the nose landing gear fork fractured. There was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the nose landing gear components. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated flight departed and proceeded to the destination airport where the windsock indicated the wind favored landing on runway 15. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 15 and turned base and final approach. While on final approach with 20 degrees of flaps extended, he performed a slip and straightened the airplane when the flight was over the threshold. The airplane touched down first on the main landing gear then became airborne about 7-10 feet above ground level. He released aft elevator control input and the airplane "...seemed to float down the runway without descending. It felt like a sudden shift in the wind was propelling us." He applied throttle to perform a go-around, but the airplane began to descend so he eased off the throttle and applied aft elevator control. Prior to landing again, the pilot retracted the flaps and the airplane settled onto the runway. He applied braking and eased off the back pressure. After the nose landing gear contacted the ground it felt "...very rough." The airplane shook and the nose then continued to the ground. The airplane nosed over and he and the passengers exited the airplane. He further reported that he had previously flown into the airport about 9 times in the previous 6 months. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the nose landing gear strut was separated, and the nose landing gear fork was fractured. There was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the nose landing gear strut or fork. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1954F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1954F-2008-11-12), registration cancelled 2008-11-12, S/N 17273044, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273044 - Airframe hours: 9898.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eagle Aircraft Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2007, 63.5 hours before - Departed: KTLH, Tallahassee, FL - Destination: FA43, Carrabelle, FL - Airport: FA43, Dog Island Airport, runway 15, 2,700 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 68 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KAAF ## 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 20070908022339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070908022339A), Sep 8, 2007: Cessna 172N, Carrabelle, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing at the Dog Island Airport the pilot decided to use only partial flaps (20 degrees) for landing. This decision was made because he stated… 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.