Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172P near Pensacola, FL — 2009-08-20

Final reportERA09LA549
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Date
2009-08-20
Location
Pensacola, FL, USA
Airport
PNS
Aircraft
CESSNA 172P
Registration
N64344
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

While conducting practice landings and takeoffs, the student pilot landed hard, which resulted in a cut nose wheel, a damaged nose strut, and wrinkling of the firewall. The student pilot did not report the damage to officials from the flying club that operated the airplane. The damage was discovered during a maintenance inspection. The student pilot subsequently left the flying club and did not respond to the club's emails or telephone messages. Two other student pilots and their flight instructor confirmed that during the three previous flights, they noted no damage to the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Student pilot should have reported hard landing damage to prevent further issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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