# NTSB MIA08CA068: Cessna 172S, N65329, Westiminster, MD, January 26, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 26, 2008, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Westiminster, MD
- Coordinates: 39.570518, -77.000518 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5705&lon=-77.0005&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 March 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Baltimore FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA068

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper flare.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (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)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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)

## 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 student pilot stated he was in left closed traffic for landing. He flared the airplane high, landed hard, and the airplane began to porpoise down the runway. The propeller collided with the runway and the firewall was buckled. The student pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot stated he was in left closed traffic for landing. He flared the airplane high, landed hard, and the airplane began to porpoise down the runway. The propeller collided with the runway and the firewall was buckled. This accident was reported late to the NTSB on February 29, 2008.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65329](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65329), registered now, S/N 172S9702, 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: 172S9702
- Airframe hours: 2072
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Pilot Services
- Registered owner: Coppeler Enterprises LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 2007, 46 hours before
- Departed: KDMW, Westiminster, MD
- Destination: KDMW
- Airport: KDMW, Carroll County Regional, runway 34, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: KBWI, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20080126013669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080126013669I), Jan 26, 2008: Cessna 172S, Westminister, MD, Minor damage. (-23) Student pilot had a hard landing. Wind changed and runway was changed. Student landed on nose gear and the prop hit the runway.

## Other investigations on N65329 (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA16CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA158), Mar 23, 2016: Cessna 172 (N65329), Frederick, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing.

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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