Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Lawrence, KS — 2020-11-20

Final reportCEN21LA066
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Date
2020-11-20
Location
Lawrence, KS, USA
Airport
LWC
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N99HV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper landing flare/touchdown which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot planned on a solo flight and reported that he didn't notice anything unusual during the pre-fight inspection. Before takeoff, he manipulated the control yoke through its full range of motion and did not notice any abnormalities. The student pilot reported that during the first takeoff, the nose pitched up and airplane climbed much faster than expected which he attributed to the weight difference from flying solo rather than with an instructor in the airplane. He stayed in the traffic pattern and stated he was centered on the runway and pulled back on the yoke for the flare. The yoke suddenly came back, and the nose pitched very high. The student pilot added that he didn't expect this sudden pitch change and prepared to add full throttle for a go-around when the airplane stalled and landed hard. After landing the student pilot moved the yoke through the full range forward and backward to check the functionality. He stated that he did not notice the same "pop" forward and backward like he did during the previous landing, so he taxied back for another takeoff. The student pilot again reported that during the second flight it was very difficult to control the pitch and airspeed and the yoke seemed to push either forward or backward over some type of "stuck" point, so he selected full flaps on final. After he initiated the landing flare, there was again a noticeable "snap" back of an inch or two of the control yoke. The main gear landed first, however; the nose wheel came down very fast. Examination of the airplane found damage to the airplane’s nose gear and substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. There were no abnormities that would indicate the damage was present before the student’s hard landings and the damage to the structure and flight controls are likely due to the student’s two hard landings.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Student pilot could have aborted the landing earlier to avoid hard landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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