Summary
On August 21, 2001, a Cessna 172S (N764SP) was involved in an incident near Gadsden, AL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing, and impact with the runway.
On August 21, 2001, about 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna C-172S, N764SP, owned by C & S Aviation Inc and operated by Bessemer Aviation Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight impacted the runway at Gadsden Airport, Gadsden, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported no injuries. The airplane departed Gadsden at 1315, on a round trip solo cross-country flight.
According to the pilot's statement he was on approach to runway 36, at the conclusion of a solo cross-country flight. He said that when he had the "runway made," he reduced power, maintained airspeed, and at "10 to 12 feet" above the runway he began the flare.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA01LA227. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N764SP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing, and impact with the runway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 21, 2001, about 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna C-172S, N764SP, owned by C & S Aviation Inc and operated by Bessemer Aviation Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight impacted the runway at Gadsden Airport, Gadsden, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported no injuries. The airplane departed Gadsden at 1315, on a round trip solo cross-country flight.
According to the pilot's statement he was on approach to runway 36, at the conclusion of a solo cross-country flight. He said that when he had the "runway made," he reduced power, maintained airspeed, and at "10 to 12 feet" above the runway he began the flare. He said the main landing gear hit "hard" and the airplane "…hit hard on [the] nose wheel."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA01LA227