Cessna 172 N4980R

Summary

On 3 March 2005 at about 15:30 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N4980R, operated by Jacksonville Navy Flying Club, was involved in an accident near Jacksonville, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 March 2005 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Herlong Airport (HEG)

Coordinates

30.2778, -81.8058

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N4980R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jacksonville Navy Flying Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jacksonville → Jacksonville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA05CA067

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot stated her second landing approach was a "little fast" and right at the point she flared the nosewheel hit the runway hard. She attempted to maintain control of the airplane, but the nosewheel hit hard again. She then applied full throttle deciding to make a go-around. The third landing was without incident and she taxied back to the ramp. After the airplane was secure she observed the airplane, and found damage to the propeller and nose. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunction to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The chief pilot for the Navy flying club stated he observed the student pilot takeoff and fly the traffic pattern. The second approach seemed slightly fast, but well controlled. The round out and flare appeared to be normal but the airplane seemed to touch down early, landing flat on all three wheels. Then the nose came up abruptly and the airplane climbed about 3-4 feet into the air followed by the nose coming down abruptly and appeared to contact the runway. Again, the airplane rose about 3-4 feet followed by an abrupt change in pitch nose down, and the nosewheel may have contacted the runway a second time. The student then added power and entered a shallow climb. After flying the traffic pattern the student landed normally and taxied back to the ramp. After the engine was secured he observed damage to the propeller tips, buckling of the fire wall and floor board panels.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.