# NTSB MKC85LA186: Cessna 172, N98251, Hays, KS, August 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Hays, KS
- Coordinates: 38.869235, -99.309837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8692&lon=-99.3098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA186

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT, WHO WAS TAKING HIS PVT PLT CHK RIDE WITH AN FAA-DESIGNATED EXAMINER, REDUCED POWER PREMATURLY ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING AT HAYS. THE ACFT DROPPED, STRIKING THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, WHICH JAMMED THE NOSE GEAR UPWARDS, DISTORTING AND SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE ACFT'S FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98251](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98251), registered now, S/N 17276269, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 98251
- Airframe hours: 218
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Cessna Employees Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: HYS, HAYS, KS
- Airport: HYS, Hays, runway 34, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RSL, 25 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).

- [Accident 19850810038519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850810038519A), Aug 10, 1985: Cessna 172P, Hays, KS, Substantial damage. Pulled power during simulated short field landing over an obstacle. Landed hard on nosewheel damaging firewall.

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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