# NTSB WPR11CA077: Cessna 177, N2262Y, Corona, CA, December 12, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 11, 2010, 18:30 local (Dec 12, 2010, 02:30 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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78003/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78003 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. ## 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 177, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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 177, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073704), [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 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the first approach for landing the wind affected his alignment to the runway, and he performed a go-around. On the second attempt, the approach seemed normal until the pilot flared the airplane excessively, resulting in a stall and subsequent hard landing. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall and wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that on the first approach, the windy conditions affected his alignment to the runway, so he chose to perform a go-around. On the second attempt, the alignment was good, and the approach seemed normal until the flare. The pilot said that he flared the airplane a bit too much. He heard the stall horn sound, and slightly pushed the yoke forward. The airplane dropped fast for the last few feet and the touchdown was hard. He taxied to parking and tied the airplane down. It was dark and he did not expect or notice any damage. The next morning, his instructor called and asked him if he had experienced a hard landing. Examination revealed a buckled firewall, and sheet metal damage on top of the wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2262Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2262Y), registered now, S/N 17700062, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700062 - Airframe hours: 4298 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Powell - Registered owner: James Powell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 2010 - Departed: HII, Lake Havasu, AZ - Destination: AJO, Corona, CA - Airport: AJO, Corona Municipal, runway 07, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 49 in this make and model, 74 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KAJO ## 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 20101211053589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101211053589A), Dec 11, 2010: Cessna 177, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. 118 Hr tt pilot; return to home base after dark, 30 degree x-wind at ~11 kt. High flare resulted in hard landing. Visual inspection next day revealed… ## Other investigations on N2262Y (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 NYC80FGM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FGM01-128555), Oct 12, 1980: Cessna 177 (N2262Y), Jeannette, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78003. 336 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.