Cessna 172 N173LL

Summary

On 3 May 2017 at about 19:55 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N173LL, operated by Lani LEA Sky Tours, LLC, was involved in an accident near Kaunakakai, Hawaii, 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 May 2017 at 19:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Molokai (MKK)

Coordinates

21.1528, -157.0964

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N173LL

Category

Airplane

Year built

1982

Engines

1

Operator

Lani LEA Sky Tours, LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Honolulu → Honolulu

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA268

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot’s incorrect flap configuration during the go-around, which resulted in a hard, forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that she was practicing touch-and-go landings on an asphalt runway. She initiated an approach and bounced the landing and then she initiated a go-around. She was airborne when she pushed the carb heat in and applied full throttle "but mistakenly put flaps up, all at once." The airplane descended to the runway and landed hard. During the landing roll, she pulled the throttle back to idle, gained her bearings, and then initiated a takeoff. She noticed a binding and restriction in the elevator and yoke control movements while remaining in the airport's pattern. She declared an emergency and landed the airplane on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator control column. The manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook identified the Balked Landing procedure as: 1. Throttle – Full Open 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps –20° (Immediately) 4. Climb Speed – 55 KIAS 5. Wing Flaps – 10° (Until obstacles are cleared) Retract (After reaching a safe altitude and 60 KIAS) The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.