Summary
On March 28, 2015, a Cessna 172S (N2168D) was involved in an incident near Vernal, UT. 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 attitude control during landing flare.
The student pilot reported that he took off and maneuvered into the left traffic pattern. On final, the airplane was configured with 30 degrees of flaps with an approach speed of 70 knots. His flight instructor who was observing noted that during his first landing the nose wheel came in contact with the surface first, then his two main wheels, subsequently the airplane porpoised three times, the student pilot initiated a go-around, and landed without further incident. As a result of the hard landing, the flight instructor conducted a post flight inspection of the engine and airframe, substantial damage to the firewall was discovered.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA026. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2168D.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during landing flare.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that he took off and maneuvered into the left traffic pattern. On final, the airplane was configured with 30 degrees of flaps with an approach speed of 70 knots. His flight instructor who was observing noted that during his first landing the nose wheel came in contact with the surface first, then his two main wheels, subsequently the airplane porpoised three times, the student pilot initiated a go-around, and landed without further incident. As a result of the hard landing, the flight instructor conducted a post flight inspection of the engine and airframe, substantial damage to the firewall was discovered.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine 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# GAA15CA026