# NTSB WPR14CA125: Cessna 172K, N78330, Eastsound, WA, February 4, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 4, 2014, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Eastsound, WA
- Coordinates: 48.708332, -122.910552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.7083&lon=-122.9106&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 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88862/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88862
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA125

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain aircraft control during landing in gusty wind conditions.

## 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 172K, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072430), [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 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 172K, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust, landed hard and bounced several times. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine 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 during landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust, landed hard and bounced several times. The nose gear collapsed and the airplane skidded to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78330), registered now, S/N 17257567, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257567
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 4230
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2013
- Departed: FHR, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA
- Destination: ORS, Eastsound, WA
- Airport: ORS, Orcas Island, runway 34, 2,900 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 525 total, 469.7 in this make and model, 394 as pilot in command, 3.5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 11 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observed at: ORS

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88862. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412416&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.

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