# NTSB WPR21LA331: Cessna 172N, N737GL, Hayward, CA, August 23, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 23, 2021, 12:28 local (19:28 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA · airport
- Coordinates: 37.658929, -122.12173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6589&lon=-122.1217&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: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103777/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103777
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA331

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced 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)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during touchdown, the airplane bounced multiple times before he added power to go around. The pilot subsequently went around and landed without further incident. The lower fuselage and interior floorboards sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## 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)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737GL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737GL), registered now, S/N 17269406, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N (NO SERIES)
- 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: 17269406
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 4542.6
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flying Panthers Flight School
- Registered owner: Flying Panthers Flight School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2021, 25.9 hours before
- Departed: KMCC, Sacramento, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: HWD, Hayward Exec, runway 10L/28R, 3,107 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 138.8 total, 15.6 in this make and model, 94.9 as pilot in command, 15.5 in the last 90 days, 6.9 in the last 30 days, 1.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KHWD
- METAR: METAR KHWD 231854Z 30006KT 10SM CLR 20/13 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP126 T02000128=

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103777. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13004918&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20331_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13005502&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20331-Rel.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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