Friday, July 27, 2018

Hard Landing: Cessna 172R Skyhawk, N865CP, accident occurred July 26, 2018 at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), Harris County, Texas

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

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

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

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

http://registry.faa.gov/N865CP

Location: Spring, TX
Accident Number: GAA18CA464
Date & Time: 07/26/2018, 1730 CDT
Registration: N865CP
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional

Analysis 

The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, he flared the airplane high, and it then landed hard. He added that the airplane "dipped," and he felt the nosewheel wobble. He then turned off the engine and "steered to the grass" off the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The student reported that the wind was from 110° at 6 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 23 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 100° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 35R.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot's improper landing flare in a crosswind, which resulted in a hard landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Crosswind - Effect on operation
Tailwind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Hard landing (Defining event) 

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 58, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/19/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 79 hours (Total, all aircraft), 79 hours (Total, this make and model), 7 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N865CP
Model/Series: 172 R
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1998
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17280602
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/25/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2457 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 13200.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:IO-360-2A 
Registered Owner: D&S Aviation LLC
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: D&S Aviation LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)
Operator Does Business As: United Flight Systems
Operator Designator Code: 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDWH, 152 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 345°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 100°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 36°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Spring, TX (DWH)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Spring, TX (DWH)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1730 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: DAVID WAYNE HOOKS MEMORIAL (DWH)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 152 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3500 ft / 35 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and Go 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 30.055556, -95.552222 (est)

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