Cessna 172S Skyhawk, N1129K, registered to American Airplane Exchange and operated by Orange County Flight Center: Accident occurred July 29, 2017 at John Wayne-Orange County Airport (KSNA), Santa Ana, Orange County, California

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

Location: Santa Ana, CA
Accident Number: GAA17CA479
Date & Time: 07/29/2017, 1030 PDT 
Registration: N1129K
Aircraft: CESSNA 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: N/A
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported that, during a preflight inspection, the student pilot and designated pilot examiner observed propeller damage. Further inspection by maintenance personnel revealed substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage consistent with a hard landing. The airplane was flown by numerous renter pilots before the damage was found, and none of them claimed responsibility for the damage. The time of the accident and the identification of the pilot(s) are unknown. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A hard landing and propeller strike for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. 

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Other/unknown (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Hard landing (Defining event)
Abnormal runway contact 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N1129K
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 172S10315
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 03/30/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4500 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: AMERICAN AIRPLANE EXCHANGE
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: Orange County Flight Center
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Unknown
Condition of Light: Not Reported
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting:
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point:  Unknown, UN (NONE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination: Unknown, UN (NONE)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: N/A
Latitude, Longitude: 33.675556, -117.868333 (est)

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Long Beach, California

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

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

Operator: Orange County Flight Center

American Airplane Exchange dba American Aircraft Sales

http://registry.faa.gov/N1129K

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA479
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Santa Ana, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 172, registration: N1129K
Injuries: Unavailable

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 Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector reported that, during a preflight inspection, the student pilot and designated pilot examiner observed propeller damage during their preflight inspection. Subsequently, a further inspection by maintenance personnel revealed substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. The airplane was flown by numerous renter pilots prior to the damage being found, and none of them claimed responsibility for the damage.