Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172N near Charlottesville, VA — 2014-03-08

Final reportERA14CA160
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Date
2014-03-08
Location
Charlottesville, VA, USA
Airport
CHO
Aircraft
CESSNA 172N
Registration
N5423J
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and substantial damage to the firewall.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he established a "crab angle to track" the centerline of the runway and maintained about 70 knots on the final leg of the traffic pattern. He pulled the throttle to idle, began to flare the airplane, and the airplane touched down on the main wheels first. It became airborne again, touched down on the runway, and "bounced" a third time. Then, during the landing roll, the pilot was instructed by the air traffic controller to taxi to the ramp area. As the pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane, he realized that the nose landing gear was "rough" to handle. He notified air traffic control that he was having trouble with the landing gear, and the airplane was towed off the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport around the time of the accident was calm.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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