# NTSB WPR12CA425: Cessna 172N, N8293E, Eloy, AZ, September 16, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2012, 22:10 local (Sep 16, 2012, 05:10 UTC) - Place: Eloy, AZ - Coordinates: 32.806667, -111.586669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8067&lon=-111.5867&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 December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85085/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85085 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA425 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had difficulty activating the pilot-controlled lighting at the airport, which resulted in the airplane entering the base leg of the traffic pattern higher and closer to the runway than normal. The airplane was high and fast on final and landed at the midfield point. The pilot landed the airplane hard on the nose wheel and porpoised at least twice while attempting to complete the landing. Postaccident examination revealed damage to the airplane's firewall. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that difficulty activating the pilot controlled lighting at the airport resulted in entering the base leg of the traffic pattern higher and closer to the runway than normal. He was high and fast on final, and landed at the midfield point. He landed the airplane hard on the nose wheel and porpoised at least twice while attempting to complete the landing. Post flight inspection revealed damage to the airplane's firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8293E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8293E), registered now, S/N 17272179, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272179 - Airframe hours: 1718 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Luna Thomas R - Registered owner: Luna Thomas R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2011 - Departed: KCGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Destination: E60, Eloy, AZ - Airport: E60, Eloy Municipal Airport, runway 02, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2012; flight hours: 1,184 total, 1,150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 315° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KCGZ ## 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 20120915021619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120915021619A), Sep 15, 2012: Cessna 172N, Eloy, AZ, Substantial damage. On September 15, 2012, about 2200 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N8293E, was substantially damaged when it made a hard landing at the Eloy Municipal… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85085. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378500&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.