OCEANA, VA, USA
N64507
Cessna 172M
The pilot reported that when he was on final approach to land, his three year old daughter seated in the right rear seat, got out of her seat, and he was distracted. The airplane touched down hard, which buckled the fire wall. He said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if his wife had sat in the back with his daughter.
On October 11, 1997, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64507, was substantially damaged when it touched down hard during landing at NAS Norfolk/Chambers Airport, Oceana, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he took off for a local flight. As he turned crosswind, his three year old daughter seated in the right rear seat, began to cry. His wife in the right front seat was unable to comfort her. He then radioed the tower, and requested a full stop landing. During final approach to land, his daughter tried to get out of her seat, and he was distracted. The airplane touched down hard, which buckled the fire wall. The pilot said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if his wife had sat in the back with his daughter.
Improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing. A related factor was the diverted attention.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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