Hard Landing: Cessna 177B Cardinal, N11823; accident occurred May 30, 2019 at Festus Memorial Airport (KFES), Jefferson County, Missouri

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Saint Louis, Missouri

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N11823

Location: Festus, MO
Accident Number: GAA19CA353
Date & Time: 05/30/2019, 1900 CDT
Registration: N11823
Aircraft: Cessna 177
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 3 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane "caught a crosswind" and became airborne again. The airplane touched back down and veered right off the runway into grass. The pilot was able to get the airplane back onto the runway and taxied to park without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector reported that the airplane damage was associated with a hard landing, including a tail strike. He added that further evidence of a tail strike was noted on the bottom side of the tail underneath the vertical stabilizer.

An automated weather observation station located about 25 miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 260° at 7 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 1. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain pitch control with a crosswind, which resulted in a hard landing and a tail strike.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Pitch control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Other weather encounter
Hard landing (Defining event)
Loss of control on ground
Runway excursion

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
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: 07/02/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/19/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 736 hours (Total, all aircraft), 12.4 hours (Total, this make and model), 2.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 0.9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0.2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N11823
Model/Series: 177 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17702370
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2348 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-360 SER
Registered Owner: Fenton Flyers Inc
Rated Power:
Operator: Fenton Flyers Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCPS, 413 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 25 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 25°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 6000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 8500 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.83 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Unknown
Destination: Festus, MO (FES)
Type of Clearance: Unknown
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: FESTUS MEMORIAL (FES)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 433 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 01
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2202 ft / 49 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion:None 
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.193056, -90.385833 (est)