N6097G

Substantial
None

Cessna 172S/N: 172S9673

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
NTSB Number
GAA20CA023
Location
Louisville, KY
Event ID
20191015X55607
Coordinates
38.227779, -85.664718
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 porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the student’s self-imposed pressure to land the airplane

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
172S9673
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2004
Model / ICAO
172C172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
172S

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SARGESTER AVIATION LLC
Address
1232 CHOPTANK RD
City
MIDDLETOWN
State / Zip Code
DE 19709-9038
Country
United States

Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, during the traffic pattern to land, the flaps would not lower and he had to move the flap lever up and down several times to troubleshoot. On base, he realized that he was faster than normal. On final, he extended the flaps to 30°, but felt he was too high and fast. He reduced power to correct and over the threshold, a crosswind drifted the airplane to the left. He reduced power to idle and pushed the nose down "too quickly." The airplane porpoised and he attempted to pitch the nose up to decrease airspeed. He was then worried that the airplane would aerodynamically stall, so he pitched the nose down. The airplane landed hard in the grass left of the runway, the nose dug into the ground, and the airplane came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 6 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 11 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 15.

The student pilot reported that he should have added full power and performed a go around. He added that he felt pressured to land the airplane to "get out of everyone's way."

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA20CA023