# NTSB NYC04CA089: Cessna 172P, N62058, Zelienople, PA, March 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 20, 2004, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Zelienople, PA - Coordinates: 40.801387, -80.160552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8014&lon=-80.1606&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 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Allengheny FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58932/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis While on short final for landing, the pilot added the last notch of flaps, and trimmed the airplane nose up to slow the airspeed. During the landing flare, "it felt like the bottom fell out," and the airplane bounced on the runway. He then attempted to add power; however, at the same time, the airplane descended back to the runway abruptly, shattering the nose wheel. The propeller struck the runway and the airplane slid to rest on the remaining runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 2004, at 0945 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N62058, was substantially damaged while landing at the Zelienople Municipal Airport (8G7), Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he departed from runway 17 for a local solo flight, and encountered turbulence during the initial climb. After reaching an altitude of 3,000 feet, the student pilot decided to terminate the flight, and he elected to return to the airport. He flew a traffic pattern approach to runway 17, and while on final approach, initiated a slip to attain the "proper glidepath." On short final, the pilot added the last notch of flaps, and trimmed the airplane nose up to slow the airspeed. During the landing flare, "it felt like the bottom fell out," and the airplane bounced on the runway. The pilot then attempted to add power; however, at the same time, the airplane descended back to the runway abruptly, shattering the nose wheel. The propeller struck the runway and the airplane slid to rest on the remaining runway. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. Weather reported at Beaver Falls Airport, 10 miles to the west, at 0947, included winds from 210 degrees at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, and an overcast cloud layer at 3,500 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62058](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62058), registered now, S/N 17275204 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275204 - Airframe hours: 6169 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Condor Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2004, 11 hours before - Departed: 8G7, Zelienople, PA - Destination: 8G7 - Airport: 8G7, Zelienople Municipal Airport, runway 17, 4,102 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 65 total, 65 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: BVI, 10 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 20040320022399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040320022399A), Mar 20, 2004: Cessna 172P, Zelienople, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot of N62058 was Mr. Charles robert larkin, a student pilot. As a result of the accident investigation, a review of Mr. Larkin's pilot log books… 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.