Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the nose gear.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 14, 1995, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6338F, collided with the runway during a simulated forced landing at the Fulton Airport, Fulton, New York. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local, training flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The private pilot was receiving instruction for the purpose of a bi-annual flight review and checkout in a flying club airplane. The CFI stated that he was going to demonstrate "procedures for engine failure on takeoff."
According to the CFI's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:
...completed normal T.O. [takeoff] with climb to approximately 150-200 feet AGL [above ground level]. Reduced power to idle and lowered nose to complete landing. [I] misjudged the flare at bottom of glide resulting in hard landing forcing the nose gear...forward....
The local weather was; clear, visibility 10 miles, temperature 91 degrees F, dew point missing, wind calm, altimeter 29.89 inches Hg.
At the time of the accident, the pilot had 6,000 total flight hours, 321 instructor flight hours and 160 flight hours in this make and model airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC95LA193