# NTSB WPR11CA152: Cessna 172, N31FC, Lancaster, CA, February 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 13, 2011, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, CA - Coordinates: 34.740833, -118.218612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7408&lon=-118.2186&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78477 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78477/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78477 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA152 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## 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 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [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 172, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the student pilot was practicing short field procedures and had completed several uneventful landings. As they approached the runway, the CFI noted that the student had leveled the airplane too high. He instructed the student pilot to add power; however, the student pilot reduced power and lowered the nose. The airplane landed hard and the CFI immediately took control of the airplane, bringing it to a stop on the runway. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that the student pilot was practicing short field procedures and had completed several uneventful landings. As they approached the runway, the CFI noted that the student had leveled the airplane too high. He instructed the student pilot to add power; however the student pilot reduced power and lowered the nose. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard. The CFI stated that he immediately took control of the airplane after touchdown, bringing it to a stop on the runway. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31FC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31FC), registered now, S/N 46140 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46140 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Noel Murphy - Registered owner: Exotic Feline Breeding Compound Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WJF, Lancaster, CA - Destination: WJF, Lancaster, CA - Airport: WJF, General Wm J Fox Airfield, runway 24, 7,201 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 72; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 18,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 63; injuries: none; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: WJF ## 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 20110213001869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110213001869A), Feb 13, 2011: Cessna 172, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. While performing a short field landing the student retarded the throttle suddenly and they experienced a hard landing. The flight instructor did not react… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78477. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344594&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.