N8432U

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172FS/N: 17252332

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, August 14, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA14CA398
Location
Oxford, NC
Event ID
20140820X42216
Coordinates
36.361667, -78.529167
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17252332
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1964
Model / ICAO
172FC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
172F

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
HESSE PAUL W
Address
418 RALEIGH ST
City
OXFORD
State / Zip Code
NC 27565-3734
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that after takeoff, his passengers were uncomfortable in the "bumpy" conditions, so he returned to the departure airport for landing. He said that due to his passenger load and the crosswind conditions, the owner of the airplane advised over the radio that the pilot should perform the landing with flaps set at 10 degrees. The pilot stated that the airplane "ballooned" on the first touchdown, and that the second touchdown was "harder than normal." A witness stated that there was a direct crosswind, and the airplane touched down with then nose pointed 30 degrees right of centerline. The airplane "porpoised" and landed on the nosewheel first a number of times in succession. Inspection of the airplane after taxi and parking revealed cracking and buckling of the wings, fuselage, and engine firewall. The pilot reported, and inspection by FAA inspectors revealed, no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA14CA398