# NTSB NYC08CA282: Cessna 172, N5210A, Charlottesville, VA, August 10, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2008, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Charlottesville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.13861, -78.469444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1386&lon=-78.4694&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 January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA282

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare while landing. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind condition.

## 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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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 pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 21 when he flared high and added additional engine power to smooth the touchdown; however, the airplane landed hard and bounced. He performed a go-around and subsequently landed without further incident. Subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the nose gear assembly and engine firewall. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Cessna 172S was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 21, a 6,001-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway. He reported that he flared high and added additional engine power to smooth the touchdown; however, the airplane landed hard and bounced. He performed a go-around and subsequently landed without further incident. Subsequent inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the nose gear assembly and engine firewall. Winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident, were from 200 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5210A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5210A), registered now, S/N 172S9118, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S)
- 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: 172S9118
- Airframe hours: 2962
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charlottesville Flight Center
- Registered owner: Charlottesville Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CHO, Charlottesville, VA
- Destination: CHO, Charlottesville, VA
- Airport: CHO, Charlottesville-Albemarie, runway 21, 6,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 183 °F, dew point 124 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: CHO

## 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 20080810843129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080810843129A), Aug 10, 2008: Cessna 172S, Charlottesvill, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was in the pattern doing touch and go's and full stop landings. During first approach, the pilot tried landing with extra speed due to gusty…

## Other investigations on N5210A (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 GAA15CA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA241), Jun 22, 2015: Cessna 172 (N5210A), Upperville, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An inflight bird strike, which resulted in wing spar damage.

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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