# NTSB NYC08CA314: Cessna 172R, N4172P, Brunswick, GA, September 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2008, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Brunswick, GA - Coordinates: 31.158056, -81.38861 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1581&lon=-81.3886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - 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): 68948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68948/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA314 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [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 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot of the Cessna 172R, he departed from the airport and was performing three supervised solo takeoffs and landings. During the third landing, the airplane impacted the runway with the nose wheel, damaging the firewall, and then "bounced" several more times. Subsequently, the student pilot landed the airplane on the runway and came to a stop. The student pilot's certificated flight instructor witnessed the entire event and stated that, "he did not flare and then oscillated down the runway." The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the flight. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot of the Cessna 172R, he departed from the airport and was performing three supervised solo takeoffs and landings. During the third landing, the airplane impacted the runway with the nose wheel, damaging the firewall, and then "bounced" several more times. Subsequently, the student pilot landed the airplane on the runway and came to a stop. The student pilot’s certificated flight instructor witnessed the entire event and stated that, "he did not flare and then oscillated down the runway." The student pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4172P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4172P), registered now, S/N 17280288, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280288 - Airframe hours: 2954 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: N4172P Inc. - Registered owner: N4172P Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 13, 2007 - Departed: SSI, Brunswick, GA - Destination: SSI, Brunswick, GA - Airport: SSI, Malcolm McKinnon Airport, runway 22, 5,800 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: SSI ## 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 20080916849219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080916849219A), Sep 16, 2008: Cessna 172R, Brunswick, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing the aircraft sustained substansive damage after impacting runway at an excessive rate of descent. ## Other investigations on N4172P (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 CHI99LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA071), Jan 20, 1999: Cessna 172R (N4172P), Chesterfield, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the instructor pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to this accident were the snow covered grassy field area along the side of the runway and the pile of snow. 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.