# NTSB WPR09CA206: Cessna 172M, N9504H, Corona, CA, April 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2009, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.897777, -117.6025 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8978&lon=-117.6025&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 June 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73694/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA206 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was landing in calm winds, allowed the nose gear to contact the runway hard during a touch-and-go landing. When the airplane bounced back into the air, the pilot executed a go-around and then made a full-stop landing in order to check the airplane for possible damage. That inspection revealed that the impact had resulted in multiple wrinkles in the firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who was landing in calm winds, allowed the nose gear to contact the runway hard during a touch-and-go landing. When the airplane bounced back into the air, the pilot executed a go-around, and then made a full-stop landing in order to check the airplane for possible damage. That inspection revealed that the impact had resulted in multiple wrinkles in the firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9504H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9504H), registered now, S/N 17266184, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266184 - Airframe hours: 6278 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Corona Inc, doing business as Air Corona - Registered owner: Air Corona Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2009 - Departed: KAJO, Corona, CA - Destination: KAJO, Corona, CA - Airport: KAJO, Corona Aiport, runway 26L, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 12 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg ## 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 20090421007229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090421007229A), Apr 21, 2009: Cessna 172M, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing,the aircraft touched down on the nose gear first, causing the nose gear strut to collapse and a wrinkle to appear on the engine bay firewall. ## Other investigations on N9504H (2) 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 MIA97LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA165), May 14, 1997: Cessna 172 (N9504H), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to ensure all articles in the aircraft were secured before flight, and subsequently, an oil can becoming lodged under the rudder pedals and preventing her from controlling the… - [NTSB FTW79DRA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRA18), Apr 16, 1979: Cessna 172 (N9504H), Tomball, TX, substantial 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. --- 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.