Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172P near Bardstown, KY — 2013-03-04

Final reportERA13CA154
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Date
2013-03-04
Location
Bardstown, KY, USA
Airport
BRY
Aircraft
CESSNA 172P
Registration
N89847
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper flare during a crosswind landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the student pilot, who was on his first solo cross-country flight, wind at the destination airport was from 120 degrees at 6 knots, so he chose to land on runway 20. Abeam the intended point of landing, the student pilot reduced power, added 10 degrees of flaps, and obtained the desired descent airspeed. He maintained that airspeed on the base leg, and, turning onto final, noted that the airplane was high. The student pilot then lowered the flaps completely while continuing to maintain the desired approach airspeed. The student pilot stated that, shortly afterward, the airplane “ballooned,” and then “dropped immediately” and impacted the runway in a nose-low attitude. He reported that the stall warning horn sounded from "slightly before” the airplane “ballooned” until it impacted the runway. The student pilot did not report any preexisting preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postflight examinations revealed a collapsed nose landing gear and firewall damage.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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