# NTSB WPR11CA368: Cessna R172K, N758TT, Sandy, OR, July 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2011, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Sandy, OR - Coordinates: 45.430557, -122.241943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4306&lon=-122.2419&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 October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA368 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81384/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81384 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA368 ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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 R172K, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072431), [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 R172K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on a turf airstrip and had established a steep approach due to trees at the approach end of the runway. During the flare touchdown, the airplane landed hard on the nose gear, resulting in damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing on a turf airstrip when the accident occurred. Due to trees on the approach end of the runway, the airplane's approach angle was steep. During the flare, the airplane landed hard on the nose gear, resulting in damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. This accident was reported to the NTSB on August 4, 2011. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N758TT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N758TT), registered now, S/N R1723354, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1723354 - Airframe hours: 1734 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360-K 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul Lawson - Registered owner: Paul Lawson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2010, 15 hours before - Departed: KVUO, Vancouver, WA - Destination: OG29, Sandy, OR - Airport: OG29, McKinnon Airpark, runway 07, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 31, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,489 total, 1,534 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: TTD, 10 nm away ## 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 20110724015569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110724015569A), Jul 24, 2011: Cessna R172K, Sandy, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted] made a hard landing following a flight from pearson airport in vancouver, WA to OG29 in Sandy, OR. Inspection of damage revealed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81384. 690 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 629 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane-Master.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.