# NTSB WPR12CA337: Cessna 172, N8100B, Grand Canyon, AZ, July 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2012, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 35.95222, -112.146942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9522&lon=-112.1469&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84514/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84514 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA337 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced 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 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that upon entering the airport traffic pattern, he remained at a higher altitude than normal on the downwind and base legs due to helicopter traffic. Upon turning onto the final leg, the approach angle to the runway was steeper than normal and the airplane was still high. He stated that due to the steeper approach angle, he misjudged the landing flare; the airplane landed hard, bounced, and began to porpoise. As the pilot attempted to abort the landing, the airplane veered to the right and landed in the dirt adjacent to the runway where the airplane nosed over and sustained structural damage to both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that upon entering the airport traffic pattern, he remained at a higher altitude than normal on downwind and base legs due to helicopter traffic. Upon turning final, the approach angle to the runway was steeper than normal, and the airplane was still high. The pilot stated that due to the steeper approach angle he misjudged the landing flare; the airplane landed hard, bounced, and began to porpoise. As he attempted to abort the landing, the airplane veered to the right and landed in the dirt adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over, which resulted in structural damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8100B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8100B-2012-12-17), registration cancelled 2012-12-17, S/N 29900, built 1957 (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: 29900 - Airframe hours: 2588 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2012, 28 hours before - Departed: FLG, Flagstaff, AZ - Destination: GCN, Grand Canyon, AZ - Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon National Park, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 19, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 123 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: gcn ## 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 20120728016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120728016689A), Jul 28, 2012: Cessna 172, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Single engine, land aircraft approached kgcn airport and reported to tower 10 miles out to the south. As per tower's request pilot called in again as he… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84514. 705 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 563 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375648&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: View of the main wreckage. Courtesy of the Airport Management. (item 2, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20the%20main%20wreckage.%20%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20Airport%20Management.-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.