Summary
On November 11, 2008, a Cessna 172 (N91HF) was involved in an incident near Groton, CT. 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 student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
During landing of the Cessna 172R, the student pilot reduced the power to begin the flare. The airplane ballooned and the pilot added “a little power” to prevent a hard landing. Once on the runway, the pilot applied the brakes to slow the airplane. The airplane turned left, approximately 45 degrees from center line. The pilot reported he applied full brakes and attempted to return the airplane back toward the runway’s centerline, but the airplane did not respond and continued to veer towards the edge of the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, impacting some runway signs and markers. The right wheel strut failed, dropping the airplanes right side and pivoting the airplane’s tail. The airplane came to rest on the runway, facing back toward the direction of travel.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA048. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N91HF.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
During landing of the Cessna 172R, the student pilot reduced the power to begin the flare. The airplane ballooned and the pilot added “a little power” to prevent a hard landing. Once on the runway, the pilot applied the brakes to slow the airplane. The airplane turned left, approximately 45 degrees from center line. The pilot reported he applied full brakes and attempted to return the airplane back toward the runway’s centerline, but the airplane did not respond and continued to veer towards the edge of the runway. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, impacting some runway signs and markers. The right wheel strut failed, dropping the airplanes right side and pivoting the airplane’s tail. The airplane came to rest on the runway, facing back toward the direction of travel. In the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 submitted by the pilot, "No" was checked for "Was there a Mechanical Malfunction/Failure."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA048