Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Grand Canyon, AZ — 2012-07-28

Final reportWPR12CA337
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Date
2012-07-28
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ, USA
Airport
GCN
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N8100B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

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

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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