Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA14CA160

Charlottesville, VA, USA

Aircraft #1

N5423J

CESSNA 172N

Analysis

Same as Factual Information

Factual Information

According to the pilot, he established a "crab angle to track" the centerline of the runway and maintained about 70 knots on the final leg of the traffic pattern. He pulled the throttle to idle, began to flare the airplane, and the airplane touched down on the main wheels first. It became airborne again, touched down on the runway, and "bounced" a third time. Then, during the landing roll, the pilot was instructed by the air traffic controller to taxi to the ramp area. As the pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane, he realized that the nose landing gear was "rough" to handle. He notified air traffic control that he was having trouble with the landing gear, and the airplane was towed off the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport around the time of the accident was calm.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and substantial damage to the firewall.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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