N8100B – CESSNA 172 – 2012-07-28 NTSB Accident Report

On July 28, 2012, a Cessna 172 (N8100B) was involved in an accident near Grand Canyon, AZ. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.

The pilot reported that upon entering the airport traffic pattern, he remained at a higher altitude than normal on downwind and base legs due to helicopter traffic. Upon turning final, the approach angle to the runway was steeper than normal, and the airplane was still high. The pilot stated that due to the steeper approach angle he misjudged the landing flare; the airplane landed hard, bounced, and began to porpoise. As he attempted to abort the landing, the airplane veered to the right and landed in the dirt adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over, which resulted in structural damage to both wings, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR12CA337. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8100B.