Cessna 172M Skyhawk, Sundowner Aviation, N19820: Accident occurred June 21, 2016 at Fairfield County Airport (KLHQ), Lancaster, Ohio

SUNDOWNER AVIATION LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N19820

Aviation Accident Final Report  -   National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Docket And Docket Items -  National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


Aviation Accident Data Summary  -  National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA361
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, June 21, 2016 in Lancaster, OH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/18/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 172, registration: N19820
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice flight maneuvers. He recalled that upon conclusion of the maneuver practice, he made a normal approach to runway 28. He reported that during the landing flare he encountered a crosswind gust, the airplane floated, and the airplane landed hard. He recalled that after the hard landing, he was unsatisfied with his landing performance. The student pilot reported that he decided to takeoff, stayed in the pattern, landed with full flaps and more airspeed, and accomplished "a controlled, more smooth touchdown." However, when he showed up for his next flight three days later, he was informed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane during his flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

The meteorological aerodrome report at the accident airport about the time of the accident indicated the wind direction was out of 270 degrees true at 9 knots, gusting to 19 knots.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.