# NTSB WPR12CA204: Cessna 172P, N54036, Spokane, WA, May 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2012, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.618888, -117.535278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6189&lon=-117.5353&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 July 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83636 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83636/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83636 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA204 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 172P, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072436), [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: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot said that his approach to landing appeared to be normal, but when the airplane touched down it bounced up into the air. He said that within a second or two it slammed back onto the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that its firewall was wrinkled and that the nosewheel strut and support structure were bent. ## Factual narrative The pilot said that his approach to landing appeared normal, but when the airplane touched down, it bounced up into the air. He said that within a second or two it slammed back to the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed that its firewall was wrinkled, and the nose wheel strut and support structure were bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54036](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54036), registered now, S/N 17274852, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274852 - Airframe hours: 17500 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Spokane Airways, Inc. - Registered owner: Rma Inc DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 2012 - Departed: GEG, Spokane, WA - Destination: GEG, Spokane, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: GEG, Spokane International Arpt, runway 21, 11,002 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 47; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: SKA, 4 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 20120507007819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120507007819A), May 7, 2012: Cessna 172P, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft contacted the runway nose first and bounced back up and tried to keep flying. Stalled, and fell back to the runway sustaining damage to the nose… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83636. 744 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369588&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.